Album Review: Deafheaven – Lonely People With Power

Deafheaven – Lonely People With Power

Release Date: 28th March 2025

Label: Roadrunner Records

Blackgaze titans Deafheaven firmly stake their ground in their sixth studio release Lonely People With Power. In this homage to their blackened roots, the group comfortably balances the act of fan service with a confident return to form, rolling out an expansive and ambitious collection of viscerally raw, and emotive tracks.

Following their last (and somewhat divisive) release Infinite Granite in 2021, the Californian collective appear to have assertively withdrawn from solely exploring the cleaner, shoe gaze driven elements that fronted this previous record, in order to fine-tune the foundations laid out in their heavier moments found in their back catalogue.

In doing this, listeners now find themselves confronted with a new level of sky-scraping brutality that assuredly comes all too easily to the group. The ambient interplay surrounding these breathtaking peaks are decadently mesmerizing, while the metal driven passages continue to remain as relentless as they ever did since unleashing their cult classic Sunbather ten years prior.

In the lead single “Magnolia”, vocalist George Clarke immediately bellows like a man possessed. This unrelenting, high-energy call to arms is not for the faint of heart, abundant with abrasive guitar riffs and ear splitting blast beats.

“Heathen” pushes the envelope further in a display of uplifting melancholia, lurching between softer, hypnotising melodies and soaring, overdriven lead lines.

“Amethyst” gives breathing room to expand upon more ambient, post rock motifs in this monumental eight minute chapter, before returning like a sledgehammer to Clarke’s distinctive demonic snarls, partnered with a high octane, almost superhuman instrumental climax.

“Body Behavior” takes the groups core fundamentals and unexpectedly channels them into near post-punk territory. This upbeat and energetic juggernaut notably teases with licks that could have been left on Radiohead’s cutting room floor, before descending into an introspective spoken word interlude (“Incidental III”).

With this refreshing and exciting homecoming, Deafheaven in all respects reclaim their throne by completely sounding their true, authentic selves. This instant classic certifies that it isn’t just the lonely that have power.

Rating: 9/10

FFO: Gaerea / Labyrinthus Stellarum / Explosions In The Sky

Recommended Track: Body Behavior