When you hear a phrase like “dreamy shoegaze from the woods,” you might not immediately picture Switzerland’s Last Leaf Down, but that’s exactly the magic at play on their latest album, Weight of Silence. Originally formed in 2003 as a “dark doom” metal band, the group fully embraced their shoegaze evolution with 2014’s Fake Lights. Now, after a lengthy break following 2017’s Bright Wide Colder, Last Leaf Down returns with their most polished and accessible work yet.
Although the “woodsy” label may not perfectly fit the mood here, Weight of Silence certainly leans heavily into the dreamy. Think Slowdive filtered through a lens of early 2000s alt-rock — polished, melancholic, and textured. The band’s newer sound sees them blending the atmospheric wash of shoegaze with the emotionally driven structures of groups like Snow Patrol and The Fray, creating something familiar yet distinct.
Central to this effort is vocalist Benjamin Schenk, whose voice anchors the album’s fragile emotionality. His performances feel more confident than ever, stretching across melancholic lows and soaring alt-rock highs. Instrumentally, the album opts for minimalism: guitars shimmer and drift rather than dominate, drums are understated, and the bass frequently steps forward to provide grounding, particularly on standouts like “Cold Heart” and “Reach the Sun.”
While this stripped-back approach amplifies the album’s serene qualities, it also exposes Weight of Silence to occasional lulls. Some songs, like the opener “Silence,” rely a little too heavily on repetitive lyrics, and a few tracks blur together on deeper listening. However, the more upbeat and hook-driven moments — “Illusion,” “Mislead,” and “Reach the Sun” — shine brightly, offering dynamic peaks throughout the otherwise misty landscape.
Despite a few pacing issues, the shorter runtime (42 minutes) ensures that Weight of Silence doesn’t overstay its welcome. It’s a late-night companion, an album that rewards passive, emotional listening more than active, analytical engagement. There’s a lingering beauty to its post-rock influenced textures, particularly in tracks like “The Ending” and “Falling Sky,” where the guitars and drums break free of their supporting roles.
In the end, Weight of Silence is a soft but satisfying listen — beautiful, atmospheric, and unintrusive. It marks Last Leaf Down’s strongest album to date and a promising direction for their sound. While they may not be reinventing shoegaze, their blending of dreamy textures with alt-rock structures creates a compelling experience for anyone drawn to wistful soundscapes. If the phrase “dreamy shoegaze from the woods” sparks even a flicker of curiosity, this album is worth exploring.
