Snow Patrol's The Forest Is The Path review: introspective break-up album

SNOW PATROL make reflective return with break-up album THE FOREST IS THE PATH

September 14, 2024 Category: Albums, Reviews

SNOW PATROL

The Forest Is The Path (Polydor)

Northern Irish alternative rockers Snow Patrol are back with their eighth album and first for six years, ahead of an equally anticipated tour in early 2025. Right from the off – opening number All – we’re treated to the familiar sound of Gary Lightbody’s beguiling croon, before the band kick into a raspy chorus. “All I know / Is holding you is all I ever wanna know…” makes for a highly emotive refrain in this group’s hands. About love from afar, finding Lightbody looking back at a past relationship, Snow Patrol fold in piano to evoke feelings of reflection, introspection and interrogation.

Mercury Rev’s Born Horses pairs lush jazz arrangements with spoken word vocals, creating a bold, introspective alt-rock experience.

Feelings which remain in place on The Beginning and Everything’s Here And Nothing’s Lost, tracks two and three respectively: the first switches between soulful singing and a raucous chorus, met by heavy anthemic drums, the melancholic latter sees Lightbody reeling each lyric out succinctly as if it’s a list. The title track, The Forest Is The Path’s most synth-forward moment, delivers a mesmeric riff alongside a high-pitched vocal, while the gently melodic Talking About Hope vividly relates the story of a relationship breakup. Haters will doubtless say “not another Snow Patrol love album” – but they do it so well.

words DAVID JAMES

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