Hardcore Will Never Die, But You Will, the newest album from post-rock band Mogwai delivers nothing short of a musical journey throughout the songs. The album is made up of ten tracks, the majority of which are instrumental monsters. “Mexican Grand Prix”, “George Square Thatcher Death Party” and “You’re Lionel Richie” are the only songs having any kind of vocals. They are a jumbled yet cohesive mix of melodic piano driving guitar and sometimes chaotic drumming. Waving back and forth from quiet and melodic to intense and droning, each song provides an enjoyable contrast in sound.

This contrast is what drives the album. Each song starts out with a different feel and gradually moves into a sound opposite from the start. In, “Too Raging to Cheers”, a soft piano figure crescendos into a crowded metal sound with the help of building drums and guitar.  By the end of this four and a half minute track, the distorted guitar breaks back down just as the piano had built up. Another highlight of the album, “Rano Pano”, starts with a crunching bassline that is joined by steady drumming, swaying between melodic and scrambled with an accompanying electronic beat that overtakes the song and then dies back down behind the rest of the music.

Overall, this is a really enjoyable album. The ever-changing dynamic of the sound takes the listener from calm to manic and back again as the album progresses. Especially the finale of the album: “You’re Lionel Richie”, starts off as a solemn guitar solo that progressively builds to a full jam that slowly drones back down into silence. Hardcore Will Never Die, But You Will, is definitely worth picking up, and not just because of it’s epic title.

Album Rating: 8/10