LOVE OVER FEAR

Pendragon's latest effort is a big departure from their previous later albums, being their most experimental release since Pure (2008). Love Over Fear brings back lots of the colorful sound from their classic Symphonic Rock releases, but at the same time presents lots of new ideas and palettes, while still being indistinguishable Pendragon. This will require multiple listens to be properly appreciated.

The guitar work is as strong as ever, with some really beautiful solos and melodies and layers of piano and keyboard that gives the necessary build up when the song needs it.

"Everything" starts with a somewhat annoying upbeat organ riff, quickly developing into more familiar territory: A beautiful and introspective opener, with delicate instrumentation and a nice final guitar solo closing the song with a melody similar to the organ intro.

"Starfish and a Moon" surprises the listener with a piano ballad and Barret's voice surprising beautiful performance. It fits really well after the previous track.

"Truth and Lies" is the first somewhat "epic" of the album. It's really beautiful, with very delicate guitars, resembling a classic-era Genesis song, before evolving into one of the best guitar solos made by Barret's and a really strong finale.

"360 Degrees" is Pendragon meets catchy Big Big Train. The violin has a strong presence here and dictates the song's main riff. It's an energetic track with a simple but cool guitar riff.

"Soul and the Sea" is another 'short' track with a strong presence of violin, but very progressive, powerful, introspective and beautiful. The finale brings back the energetic guitar from the previous albums, but this time without the darkness. The very ending is also really beautiful.

"Eternal Light" is the second epic, surprising the listener with a few turns before getting into the chorus and then a strong final build-up, where keyboards and guitars join together soloing before reaching the final chorus.

"Water" brings back the introspection from the previous tracks, starting slowly, jazzy with a very memorable chorus and a killer long guitar solo. My favorite track from the album.

"Whirlwind" is another piano ballad, this time more sad, slow and with a saxofone outro.

"Who really are we?" is the last epic, with a very Indigo-esque energic intro, before the acoustic guitars and the vocals kicks-in developing the song in interesting ways.

"Afraid of Everything" closes the albums beautifully with a beautiful guitar intro leading into a crescendo and a beautiful keyboard solo (which is actually just repeating the same notes). A fitting closer for such great album.

Lovely album and one of the greatest releases from 2020. Love Over fear is Pendragon's at its best: melancholic, uplifting, beautiful, energetic and amazing.