As of February 2022, the UK’s Dream State lingered in limbo after the announcement came that all music fans fear. Vocalist CJ Gilpin and guitarist Rhys Wilcox would be departing from the lineup. Both band members stepped down for personal/mental health reasons, but as for the last remaining founding member, Aled Evans decided to charge forward instead of closing the book for good.
In the February 2022 Twitter announcement, Evans said, “Whilst this will be a huge announcement and change, we had prior to these decisions brought in a new drummer and bassist – so for me (at least) behind the scenes there is still a band. We’ve had different members over the years since we started this hell of a ride and we’ve consistently produced music and played shows that you guys have loved. There is now some uncertainty for the immediate future, but I will continue with the new guys to make music in some guise – be that as a re-vamped Dream State or under another project. Too much blood sweat and tears have gone in to throw the towel in just yet, especially when there’s so much more yet to give! There’s a stack of fresh new music and ideas we want to release- when we are ready and able to.”
Upon landing on vocalist Jessie Powell to carry the torch, Dream State undeniably bounced back ready and able. The band has introduced more electronic elements to their music, but it is a natural progression from their 2020 single, ‘Monsters’, the final song released with Gilpin. Released in October 2022, their single ‘Taunt Me’ was the first track under Powell, and while it showcases her vocal talents, it also proves she has the ability to pay homage to her predecessor and to the fans. Powell weaves crisp, clean vocals in with her unclean vocals, even the in-between grit, and demonstrates her strong vocal range.
Their most recent single from the EP, ‘Comfort in Chaos’, was released in December 2022. Powell said of the track, “‘Comfort in Chaos’ is about feeling the need for constant reassurance from the closest people around you and your loved ones, but by being so needy & insecure it would push those people away. It’s about not knowing how to break the cycle of helplessly looking for issues, triggered by a traumatic response.” Powell’s vocals hover in a powerful, gritty snarl as she barks out the chorus: “Say that you want me/ Say that you need me/ Say that you want me/ And you’ll never leave me”.
For Dream State fans that are hesitant of the new lineup, the EP’s final song ‘Chain Reactions’ would be the perfect chain link from Gilpin’s era to Powell’s, and would undoubtedly find she more than fills the shoes left behind. The track is beautifully split of delicate, clean vocals, and commanding unclean vocals.
The overall lyrical content of Untethered reflects the same messages and tone the band has always delivered. Coupled with Evans’s propensity to pull together talent that bridged a cohesive, unjarring sound and style between former and current members, OG fans and new fans alike will enjoy and find a home within the revamped Dream State.
Buy the album here:
https://dreamstateofficial.com/
9 / 10
JESSIE FRARY