2084 Empire - Built For The Future Progressive Voyages Review.
The cover of the highly impressive 2084cEmpire Album
This is a long album and an interesting one, In that it uses the premise of 1984 as its basis for the Themes and material for the albums songs and feelings.
Does it work you may well ask, well let's have a listenband see shall we?
The entire album of 2 cds lasts for 1 hour 29 minutes and ten seconds and is in 2 separate parts Cd1 Empire and cd 2 Oceania which includes the 25 minute plus title song.
The album falls easily into 2 parts, The first begins with 2084 which has a chorus that will stay with you long after the album has concluded, Built zFircThe Future describe their sound as having elements of Tears FircFewrs meets Pink Floyd and other Progressive Music, I think its a fair summation of how they sound, You get both Melodies that are memorable and strong musical sections and performances.
The album is a really engrossing listen and the bands own description of their sound as being an amalgam of Tears For Fears and Pink Floyd is a very appropriate one and one this accurately defines their music and sound succinctly.
Opening track 2084 sets out their stall extremely proficiently as shows why this is such a great album as here you get a memorable song with a very strong chorus, one that will stay with you long after the album is finished, it really is an excellent Opening statement of intent for the album. In fact it is so strong that it wishes this album up high in my list of best albums I've heard this year It really is that impressive!
Next is Propaganda which is nearly as good the lyrics here are really impressive and conveybtheir mean8ng really clearly, The song is driven along by a sturdy bass line from Patric Farrell it really anchors the song.
Empire State is next which has the brilliant succinctly couplet of We Started Out With All Intentions To Unfold, We Ended Up In Total Empire Control., this one talks of how the Empire took over erasing all individuality and causing everything and everyone to become beholden to the Empire State.
Considering that Orwell wrote 1984 in 1949 the events and process by which the state evolves and takes control is extremely relevant today in 2026 especially in Trump’s American Distopyian dream (or horror show depending on your own view) and the project world of 2084 it is still the same rulebook that is being utilised.
Subterranean is next which is about how people choose to live underground outside of the states control, living a submerged freedom of sorts. A most interesting track.
Next is Airstrip One which is in three separate parts Citadel, Citizen and Anthem.
This is a very interesting track in which we see both compliancecand also some resistance to the empire contols. We also see the herd mentality in action yet despite this there are still pockets of resistance who opposed the system as best as they can..
2nd cd begins with The Brotherhood which is about being a united part of the resistance, A Brotherhood who look out for and support each other inbthe struggle against the oppressors, it is another excellent song from Built For The Future.
Weather have the albums epic 6 part song Oceania which last for 25 minutes I doubt if you will hear a finer long multiparty s9ng than this one this year as it is simply awesome,Bold challenging dynamics and excellent lyr8cs that all comb8ne together inn one monumental epic piece of music.I really feelmthis is best heard for yourself to appreciate the sheer degree of crafting and creativity this one track represents it truly is that spectacular in its vision performance and delivery.
This most impressive album really grows on you the more you hear it, Best of all is that this is the second part ofva planned trilogy the first part was 2084 Heretic the third is coming hopefully soon in the meantime I heartily recommend this most magnificent release to all who like good progressive music.
Info here: www.builtforthefututre1.bandcamp.com
Author John Wenlock-Smith Saturday 6th June 2026.