The sophomore set from
Rob Marshall's
Humanist project is a grand, dramatic collection of post-punk, shoegaze, dream pop, and gothic alt-rock that showcases a cast of excellent guest vocalists to maximum effect.
On the Edge of a Lost and Lonely World is informed by deep emotional vulnerability and a tinge of sadness, but is ultimately an enriching and comforting experience. While centered on a definite mood, where shadows play and secrets lurk,
Marshall and company swerve and morph through it all. Fans of
the Cure,
New Order,
Cocteau Twins,
My Bloody Valentine, and
Depeche Mode (as well as
Dave Gahan's
Soulsavers collaborations) will find plenty of common ground here. Whether transportive (as on "Born to Be" with
Peter Hayes and "Love You More" with
Isobel Campbell) or immediate and energizing ("The Beginning" with
Carl Hancock Rux, "Happy" with
Ed Harcourt, and "Keep Me Safe" with
Rachel Fannan),
Marshall is able to make it sound like one singular and cohesive studio session, with his guests performing as his ideal avatars. Flying under the radar for many a listener,
Edge of a Lost and Lonely World deserves a wider audience, if only to introduce the rich and revelatory world of
Humanist. ~ Neil Z. Yeung
