Between the Stars (Special Edition)

Between the Stars (Special Edition)

Kristen May took on a tough assignment in 2012 when she stepped in to replace Lacey Sturm as Flyleaf's vocalist. Rather than copy her predecessor’s explosive, raw-nerve style, May has taken a more nuanced but still hard-hitting tack, as Between the Stars successfully shows. Flyleaf’s first post-Sturm album is muscular and passionate, reaffirming old strengths while introducing some new sonic touches. The band’s songwriting is trenchant and focused, reaching for the Light while defying the forces of darkness. As lead singer, May comes across as both sweet and astringent, wailing her way through “Set Me on Fire,” “Traitor,” and similar rockers. She does even better on more restrained but still dramatic tracks like “Marionette” (an anguished cry for freedom) and “City Kids” (an emotionally conflicted childhood flashback). The recovery anthem “Sober Serenade” and the nervously exalted “Well of Lies” are particular standouts lyrically. Flyleaf keep the music varied and interesting, veering into New Romantic–like ‘80s rock on “Platonic,” tuneful folk-pop on “Head Underwater,” and galloping post-grunge on “Home.”

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