MANNEQUIN

Kyros, a UK progressive pop band, lead by the vocals and keyboards of Shelby Logan Warner, has embraced 80's style synth-pop on this, their 5th album. But this is synthpop re-imagined from a decidedly bold progressive rock perspective, for a style that sounds new, but is also quite familiar as well. Very catchy beats and melodies collide with edgy vocals and prog flourishes throughout. Starting off with a more gentle acoustic pop song (Taste the Day), the album moves to an energetic synthpop instrumental (Showtime) before the main features and core of the album take hold, an impressive display of progressive synthpop brilliance for the next 6 songs. Unfortunately, the album falters on the final 2 tracks, when the band goes much darker and heavier (more prog metal) on Technology Killed the Kids IV, which apparently is a continuing series from previous albums, but which does not fit or work at all here, and completely ruins the vibe and feel of the album. The final track, Have Hope, is hyperactive and disjointed, and although has some nice moments, is too much of a chaotic mess. Up until those final 2 tracks, this is a really great album, but have to downgrade it due to the poor finish. Best Tracks: Esoterica, Illusions Inside, The End in Mind, Ghosts of You, Liminal Space, Digital Fear. Rating: 3.5 stars