DEATH MAGIC
DEATH MAGIC makes HEALTH's pop side much easier to hear. Hard drums and distorted sounds remain, but melodies no longer need to hide as much. Jake Duzsik often sings softly and almost distantly above backing that hits with considerable weight. The contrast makes the music attractive and uncomfortable at the same time.
STONEFIST finds a strong balance. Its vocal line is easy to follow while the rhythms and sharp sounds provide enough resistance. The song wants to stay in your head without removing all its roughness. This gives the band's accessible side a convincing shape.
DARK ENOUGH finds more space in gloomy synth-pop. Electronic melodies and heavy drums carry the emotion without requiring a large vocal performance. LIFE moves further towards a softer, more direct pop sound. It is a striking contrast with the most aggressive pieces. The melody works quickly, although the music also feels less distinctive here.
The album does not maintain that balance everywhere. Some smoother songs lose character, and the short, more aggressive pieces do not always fit naturally beside them. This makes the sequence somewhat unsettled. HEALTH have found several convincing directions without connecting them smoothly throughout.
Near the end, HURT YOURSELF demonstrates what the approach can achieve. Drums, singing and electronic layers build tension, then pull back before the larger sound returns. This gives the music more direction than simply becoming louder and quieter. DEATH MAGIC is especially convincing in such moments. Its combination of harsh sound and vulnerable melody widens HEALTH's range. Not every choice is equally strong, but the best songs make this move towards greater accessibility particularly interesting. They show that clear hooks can give the noise more meaning without requiring the band to abandon it.
