Morel’s melodic music emits space station sounds on a screeching keyboard in their upcoming album that delivers a poignant coming of age theme. ‘The Death of The Paperboy,’ set to be released, Nov. 4, is Morel’s latest experimental output combining rock and electronic components with synthesized dance music.’

The carefully pieced second half of the double disc accentuates the message of the first one through up-beat energetic sounds.

The group, named after frontman Richard Morel, has collaborated with other successful artists such as Nelly Furtado and Depeche Mode with Morel navigating as a guest, or sometimes lead DJ.

The new album brings a refreshing aura of crisp story telling, mingled with mind-altering substances and the inevitable loss of love and innocence.

The opening track, ‘A Boy’s Reverie,’ explores a lover’s descent into darkness as he ponders, ‘Is it a bird or the devil I seek?” The music is rich with a vibrant, orchestral touch, which accompanies the synthesized keyboard effectively.

Originally breaking onto the dance music scene during the late ’90s Morel ensured a positive position for himself by teaming up with other notable electronica artists.’ Collaborating with well known artists in the genre like Deep Dish, Morel soon grew confident enough to branch out on his own.’ Originally from Boston, Morel has a rich literary background, having studied the likes of Tennessee Williams, Ernest Hemingway, and Scott Fitzgerald at the urging of his mother.’ His grandfather instilled the appreciation of classical music into Morel’s training at an early age.

It is no wonder that with such a rich artistic background songs like ‘I’m So Low I Keep On Falling’ resonate with symbolic meaning.’ The vocalist pleads, ‘Love’s a one-sided deal / you don’t choose who you feel,’ as the synthesized medium meshes into seagulls crooning and waves crashing on a desolate beach at the end of the song.

The current lineup of the group includes Pat Flood on bass and backing vocals, Rob Black on drums, and John Allen on guitar.’ Morel leads the vocals and programming of the electronic material.

The track ‘Nova’ has a drug-themed message.’ Morel sings, ‘You say they’ll be lots of girls and lots of beer / And you don’t even notice as I start to unwind / So we pull to the side of the road / To do another line in the Nova.’

The second half of the album continues the hallucinatory onslaught.’ The track ‘Shoegazer Disco (The Death of The Paperboy Dub Mix)’ stands out with a tangible sound and inspiring lyrics.’

The album successfully delivers an uplifting message with exhilarating music, albeit at times through untested and strange means.

Four stars out of five.