Careful, booby-trapped object: this self-titled « new album » is actually the compilation of the Volumes series EPs released since 2023, with a single new track, « Carved ». Which doesn’t prevent a handsome 80/100 aggregate across three reviews, pulled up by a 10/10 from Spill Magazine, hearing a band that « have given themselves permission to let that beast take over, come what may ».
On the material itself, general agreement: Landon Tewers is an exceptional frontman, at ease from whisper to scream, and the peaks are high. Distorted Sound (8/10) crowns « Been Here Before » as « the quintessential The Plot In You track », while Kerrang! singles out « Silence », blending « soft-strummed fragility and pulsing industrial without any jarring awkwardness », and the new « Carved », « a towering love song with fire in its eyes and mercury in its veins ».
What divides is the object’s status. Kerrang! (3/5) mostly sees « a landmark » and « a tantalising waymarker » toward what’s next, while Distorted Sound would have demoted « Closure » or « Pretend » to B-sides. Public at 77/100: fans approve the sum, while waiting for the real next chapter. 8, for the strength of the songs more than the boldness of the move.