Different Light - Binary Sun (partv2 - Alternate Reality - Progressive Voyages Review
I have to say this band, Different Light are totally new to me, I know they were formed in Malta in 1994 and that this album is a follow on from Dferent Light Part 1 Operant Condition (2019).
The album contains a lot of track but fears not as these are all slices of a large pie of songs that are themselves part of a suite of songs tha come together in order to comprise a whole, So for an example Mindspeaker has 7 parts, The Syncretist has 4 parts, A Fools Errand is a stand alone song, Constant Silver Lining has 4 parts , The Stalker talks has 4 parts and finally Last Call is another stand alone track. The whole thing lasts for some 64 minutes 47 seconds
I think its fair to say this this not your ordinary Prog album, rather this something a little bit special, blending as it does Prog, Classic Rock and Melodic Pop Music.
The albums first set of track comprises to make Minspeaker , the first part is Parallel Fantasy, this is very much in the classic Rock side of things, it has a fine piano motif and crunchy guitars that plays throughout the track, I like how this all sounds,it is a pleasant listen, the next part is Mrs Wimslow's Soothing Syrup, here were get a tougher sound but still very agreeable to hear.
The next segment is called The Escapre Room, this has a fine synth line to it,,
All of these segments are relatively short, but when taken together they form an impressive track and suite of music,
The next segment is Mythopeia and is an instrumental with lots of strong guitar lines riffs and piano! All very dramatic sounding album a good synthline carries throughout the track as well,
Next segment is An Unenviable Fate, which carries on with riffing guitar and keyboards in the background,
The next section is entitled The Singularity, this is propelled by a strong bass part and piano and some rhythmic guitar riffs and fills, This in turn lead into that tracks final section to or part Labour Of Love.
The next set of tracks form the song suite The syncretist which is about blending or merging usually in a faith or belief system, there is a lot of religious imagery in the first 2 parts Sober Dancing and Pillage Of Souls, both of which mention Fallen Angels, the next 2 parts Full Circle and Now Just be Well contiinue the theme although the meaning and intent is not immediately clear here.
A Fools Errand is a stand alone track it seems to be about a fantasy of a life dreamt of but not realised in the relationship sadly.
Constant Silver Ling has 4 section, Lining The Dream, Our Destination, Apophenia, An Endful Winter, this track is about finding patterns to make sense of the world,
The thing with this album is that you need to pay close attention to the lyrics to really grasp what the album is trying to tell you, I am not sure thatv really have done this despite enjoying the music and appreciating the craft that is clearly apparent in how this albumn sounds ..
A Stalker Talks has Three parts, Happiness (Part2), A State Of Dissary and Binary Child.
This track seems to be about a broken relationship where one party has been let down with all their hopes and dreams shattered.
The final song of the album is Last Call this is a fine conclusion to a lyrically rich album, One with lots of meaning to unpack and discover through its fine music and strong melodies.
I have really enjoyed this albumnand the fine music it offers, However for me I find a lack of clarity about the themes and meaning for the suites problematic for me, Its probably just how I am but I do appreciate clarity and struggle when I can't find it
Anyway I do commend this album to you, it is rather wordy but it is also very listenable with strong musicianship from the band.
Info here: www.differentlight.bandcamp.com
Author John Wenlock-Smith Sunday 7th June 2026.