It’s been 4 years since The Pineapple Thief released an album of original material. I suppose their fans have been longing for a new studio release all this time, especially after the last Bruce Soord solo work in September 2023. The new album “It Leads to This” also features Beren Matthews on guitar, who has been touring with the band for some time now. Apart from that, the lineup remains unchanged, with Bruce Soord on vocals & guitar, Gavin Harrison (Porcupine Tree) on drums & percussion, Steve Kitch on keyboards, and Jon Sykes on bass.
Musically, the band proves that less is more… the longest song is about 6 minutes, and the album is around 40+ minutes long. It’s not necessary to have long songs to be progressive or anything. The album is mostly atmospheric and melodic, without the absence of intense moments as well. The production is full and crystal clear. Bruce has done an excellent job once again.
It’s not easy to skip any track while listening to the album cuz it flows so well… but I guess everyone will have their favorites among the 8 tracks. This time, I won’t refer to specific songs, cuz with every new listen, I tend to pay attention to small details that make me appreciate some tracks more. Furthermore, I have to make a special mention of Bruce’s expressive vocals and Gavin’s impressive drumming. To be fair, all the performances are great here. Conceptually, the album portrays mastermind Bruce Soord’s attempts to better comprehend himself and the world around him during a time of global instability.
The Pineapple Thief has always excelled at creating expansive emotional landscapes with their music, and “It Leads to This” is no exception. The Pineapple Thief’s new album demonstrates their continued relevance and unwavering dedication to producing soulful and inspirational music.
