Night Darling’s Buried is an ambitious album laced with dark 80’s vibes and cinematic soundscapes. Night Darling is the eclectic brainchild of musical artists and friends Lucas Abend (keys, production), Addy Cahill (vocals, lyrics), Zachary Webber (vocals, violin, lyrics), and John Jalandoni (guitar). Their work combines the storytelling of folk music and the tone of darkwave with the danceability of synth-pop.
Starting with “Meet Me”, the tone is set. It’s a haunting intro diving into a darker world. Deep vocals and chilling synths add to the urgency of “See the Night.” This track really encapsulates the album- an 80’s influenced sound with sleek drums and perfectly placed guitars laced throughout, and it feels deliberate and vivid.
Things shift on “Stay Away,” which feels like a gentle interlude- soft but still a little unsettling. These softer tracks feel perfectly placed on this album, giving it more depth.
“Buried,” the title track, is a slow burn that adds to the moodiness. Soulful vocals repeat, “I buried you in the desert, so why are you at the door,” accented by a stirring violin that cuts right through to the core. This album is just filled with those perfect accents, whether it’s atmospheric synths in “Drown More”, or the immaculate vocal layers in “Spies.”
John Jalandoni, guitarist, says this project “is an exploration of love, heartbreak, and loss that journeys through different metaphysical and geographical realms.” It’s easy to feel a part of that journey- the interludes and details really make this project so interesting and intense, it creates a whole world.
