Vague Lanes - Divergence and Declaration

Divergence and Declaration is the second album by San Francisco Bay Area Darkwave duo Vague Lanes. The album features their signature two-bass configuration, with Mike Cadoo (Gridlock) handling the melodic six-string duties. At the same time, Badger McInnes (Here We Burn) propels the music forward with his low-end four-string. The album opener, "Heptahedron", also features drums by Martin Atkins (P.I.L., Ministry, Killing Joke). The album's title alludes to the refinement and solidification of Vague Lane's manifesto, and by utilizing a more expanded pallet than their debut album Foundation and Divergence, the duo displays confidence in their creative trajectory and the overall substance of their musical voice.

Driving Cocteau-esque drums meet roulades of synth work, often cascading in nature, forming the backbone of Divergence and Declaration. Washing strings adds an emotional tinge that judiciously cradles the album's poignant moments. Cadoo's vocals display a new level of maturation and poise, giving the music a deep yet anthemic overtone. Lyrically, Cadoo has a propensity to shine light into the darker corners of the human condition. Divergence and Declaration focuses lyrically vague light on themes surrounding slothfulness, martyrdom, the decline of civilization, revisionists, infidelity, and depression. There is one exception with the song Exo which centers on the inevitable melancholia brought out by the parent/child, mentor/mentee relationship.

Vague Lanes are often compared to genre epitomes such as The Cure, Cocteau Twins, Lowlife, Godflesh, and Nine Inch Nails. However, the music the duo creates is never just one facet of such influences; on the contrary, Vague Lanes employs the genre overlaps of darkwave, post-punk, shoegaze, and industrial music to new levels on Divergence and Declaration and, in the process, constructs a sound that blurs the lines in which Vague Lanes inhabits.