Album Review: The Ocean - Pelagial

Album Rating: A

In the wake of The Ocean’s polarizing duo Heliocentric and Anthropocentric, its next album was bound to be a make-or-break affair. Pelagial arrives on the heels of two and half years of hand-wringing, lukewarm positivity, and general bewilderment over its immediate predecessors. After Precambrian (2007) capitalized on The Ocean’s ability to meld atmospheric and brutal songwriting to critical acclaim, bandleader Robin Staps broke up the Collective in favor of a stable lineup. It turned out some growing pains were in order: 2010’s Heliocentric showcased new singer Loic Rossetti’s dynamic voice, but often subjected its audience to awkward lyrical concepts and ballads that hung their new singer out to dry. Seven months later, Anthropocentric showcased a tighter and heavier sound , but otherwise did little to dissuade the trepidation of many fans. With Pelagial, those fears about the Ocean’s future can finally be laid to rest.