Volumes: Mirror Touch
Volumes enter their fifteenth year sounding like a band that has lived through constant change. They’ve navigated shifting trends, lineup changes and personal struggles, yet they continue moving forward. ‘Mirror Touch’, their fifth album, reflects that long journey. It isn’t a dramatic reinvention, but it shows a group still exploring new ideas while trying to stay true to its roots.
The album opens with a lot of energy on ‘Sidewinder’, a track that fires on all cylinders. It’s sharp, heavy and immediately engaging — the kind of dynamic kickoff that sets expectations high. Not long after comes ‘Bad Habit’, the pre-release single that marks a noticeable shift in Volumes’ approach. Here, the band steps away from their usual barrage of screams and tightly wound riffs, embracing cleaner vocals and smooth, glowing synth layers. The guitars still land with force when they need to, but the atmosphere is richer and more melodic overall. It’s a thoughtful evolution. At first, it feels like the whole album will follow this promising direction. But things start to slip in the middle. ‘California’ is one of the catchiest songs on the record, and there’s no denying its instant hook. Still, the chorus — “It’s just another day in paradise, it’s just another day in California” — is so sugary and cliché that becomes distracting. It’s fun, but it’s also extremely cheese. The song leans so hard into sunny imagery that it almost feels like a parody of a West Coast anthem.
The track that follows, ‘Adrenaline’, doesn’t help the momentum. It relies heavily on soft, clean vocals and gentle melodies, almost completely avoiding the heavier edge that gives Volumes their signature bite. It’s pleasant, but feels too light for its own good. A bit of grit or a stronger rhythmic push could have made it far more engaging. Instead, it floats by without leaving much of a mark.
Thankfully, the album recovers as it heads toward the finish. ‘S.O.A.P.’ brings back the tight songwriting and sharp energy that fans expect, and immediately stands out. The closing track, ‘Suffer On’ featuring Black Sheep Wall, ends the album with real force. It’s heavy, atmospheric and emotionally gripping, a reminder of how powerful Volumes can be when everything clicks.
‘Mirror Touch’ has clear highs and a few softer moments, but the best parts stand out in a big way. When the album is at its strongest, it shows a band that’s growing, experimenting and moving forward with confidence. Even the weaker tracks feel like steps in Volumes’ ongoing evolution. Overall, the record points toward a promising new chapter for the band. The album will be released digitally on December 12 through Fearless Records, with physical copies arriving on February 27 next year.