Lost in the New Real

In a world where almost everybody needs to constantly prove himself, there are a few who don’t. Arjen Lucassen is one of them. Yet he still does. Whether it was Vengeance or Ayreon, even under his own name he does it again.

Here we have a new concept album, how surprising. But it hasn’t got Ayreon written all over it. Nor is it an eccentric masterpiece like Genesis’ ‘Lamb Lies Down on Broadway’ despite the apparent sixties and seventies feel of the whole. This time we have a collection of sweet short pop orientated songs, often with a highly catchy radio friendly chorus. Only closing tune ‘Lost in the New Real’ exceeds the 10 minute mark.
But this is not a bad thing per say.

Compared to the eclectic and pretty dark last Ayreon album ‘01011001’ this new release, under his own name, is a rather happy one. In terms of music that is. Lyrically however it’s got technofear written all over it. Or for that matter fear in general. Lucassen’s releases are all filed with fear of the world, digital stress, fear of change and Lost In The New real is no exception.

There are only winners here. ‘The New Real’ and ‘Lost in the New Real’ are both rather gloomy tunes that still have the atmosphere of ‘01011001’ surrounding them however this time with mister Lucassen himself on lead vocals. And his lead vocals are what makes this album one cohesive entity no matter what direction the music takes us.

It’s the happy melodies on ‘Pink Beatles in a Purple Zeppelin’ and ‘Where Pigs Fly’ that show us how happy Lucassen can make his most depressing thoughts sound. In a way it’s always wondrous and admirable to see and hear how people can turn negativity into a feel-good composition. Also the creepy lyrics of ‘E - Police’ might get unnoticed it you only pay attention to the music and video. Arjen likes it cheesy and tongue-in-cheeck yet always delivers his personal messages of fear and social claustrophobia with finesse.

The whole point is that had other lyrics been added to the songs presented here, it could’ve been just another pretty cheesy poprock album that might go by unnoticed. Unjustly however, since his compositional skills are exceptional and so is Arjen’s ability to shape Pink Floyd, Beatles and Blue Oyster Cult influences into a modern sounding hip new album with a broad sound and choruses that are catchy in whatever era you grew up. Without the lyrics, this would just be a damn good pop rock album.

With the lyrics, the album surpasses most other contemporary pop rock artist and makes this a more personal album and gives us plenty to think about (‘Parental Procreation Permit’ is brilliant), fantasize (‘Don't Switch Me Off ’), laugh (‘Where Pigs Fly’) or fear (‘E - Police’)

Simply put: if you already like Arjen releases so far, this will be a refreshing addition to your collection since it shows yet another, more poppy, side of mr. Lucassen. For those not taking a liking to excessive long albums with elaborate structures, this’ll certainly entertain you with it’s quality through simplicity.