Album Review :
Adoremus - Contemplation

As “(11pm)” opens with soft piano and slightly-processed vocals, these lyrics serve as a principal statement for Adoremus’ latest record: “Bring your joy, your sorrow. Bring your anger, your pride. Lay a crown at the altar. I just want your time.” The melody which follows becomes a recurring motif on the album and helps the listener trace his or her own journey through these songs.

Contemplation derives from Ben Vasko’s experiences with late-night worship and adoration at his church. And while there’s an undeniable Catholic perspective informing the nature and genesis of the album, the lyrics remain primarily faithful to the Bible and can certain be enjoyed by non-Catholics alike. It is an album of reflection, introspection, waiting, and yearning. These songs were birthed from seasons where, much like the literal hour preceding midnight, there was stillness, silence, and darkness. But these are not hopeless songs, and for the large part, they are not even skewed toward melodrama. Any ounce of pain or struggle is met with a greater degree of the reminder of God’s goodness and faithfulness.

This is clear from the get go. Once the opener ends, the same melody follows into “Venite Adoremus” when Vasko wrestles with the paradox that we’re able to even approach God to begin with. “I come to You, for where else can I go? I come to You, I resolve myself to know.” The track builds one piece at a time, adding in synths, ambient guitars, and sample programming before exploding with proper drums on the third chorus. Drums happen to be Vasko’s primary instrument, and you can rest assured they’re critical to the record.

What does Contemplation sound like? Tracks like “Run the Race” hearken back to early 00s pop punk, with “I Will Be There” embodying a mix of Anberlin and Jack’s Mannequin and “Hunt the Hunter” opting for a more mysterious, alt-rock sound. It’s a nice blend of the quintessential sounds millennial rock fans have come to love all repackaged with modern production and a very careful amount of keys and synths mixed in for good measure. And Vasko and team pull things off to great effect.

Beyond “Vinete Adoremus,” my personal favorites include “Praise God,”  “I Will Be There,” and “Stay A Little Longer.” And when the album comes full circle on “(Midnight),” I can’t help but appreciate both powerful musical close and the proper thematic bookend.

Ultimately, there isn’t much as far as weak points are concerned, though I do find some tracks aren’t quite as strong as their counterparts – albeit not by much. These include “Run The Race” and “Hunt The Hunter,” which interestingly parallel each other on each half of the record. While I’m not sure on the entire structure of the album, I ultimately found the back half to be a bit more rock-centric and the front half to be arguably a bit poppier, though rest assured much of the album is littered with sing-along choruses that you’ll instantly catch onto. Even the weaker tracks in my opinion are still well-crafted. It just seems like Side B hits a bit harder and more consistently, showcasing the best overall consistency in songs. Vasko’s vocals are a constant highlight, but the guitar riffs seem to soar a bit higher on this other set of songs.

Don’t let Contemplation scare you with its name. This is not a quiet album, nor is it a collection of instrumental church music. It’s a thoughtful rock-driven record adorned in all colors of 00s emo music. Top things off with lyrics of hope, redemption, and God’s sovereignty and the result is, quite simply, an album which fills both a musical and lyrical void in today’s independent Christian music space. While I might disagree with Vasko on several theological points, his commitment toward these songs and the message behind them is clear.