motel void

We’ve already featured Steven Anthony’s single Grey in our Best New Tracks column – now it’s time to take a closer look at his full-length Dreary Lake, the fourth album from this prolific artist.

The record spans eight tracks and opens with River Thoughts, which sets a tone similar to that of Grey: slowcore that feels raw in both its production and delivery, built largely around Anthony’s emotive voice and lyrics. A simple beat emerges partway through, adding texture to what becomes the longest song on the album at over five minutes. Though it doesn’t develop drastically, it remains engaging, thanks in part to the field recordings and background noise woven into the outro – reminiscent of the more acoustic side of Lil Peep.

Next comes I Will Not Follow, which begins like an indie rock track with a thick bassline before dissolving into a reverb-soaked, melancholic world – perfect for anyone moving through something heavy. The closing section brings in piano, intertwining beautifully with Anthony’s voice.

On February 14th, Anthony is joined by singer Yana Golosunova. The raw production and sorrowful melody, paired with the male/female vocal interplay, recall one of my favorite slowcore bands, Carissa’s Wierd, who also often explored the power of contrasting voices. Breathe You In follows with a minimalist yet organic acoustic guitar riff that instantly reminded me of Willis Earl Beal. It’s a hypnotic, understated track, lightly dusted with effects. The emotional The Silence builds on this mood, pairing Anthony’s voice with field recordings and birdsong – a poignant contrast that adds depth to the atmosphere.

In the second half, the previously highlighted single Grey still stands out as the album’s highlight – a delicate slice of slowcore, just a minute and a half long, yet carried entirely by Anthony’s voice and a striking, memorable melody. The record then shifts toward a more electronic direction with Catacombs. Built around a beat and synth textures, the track benefits from its long intro and mid-song interlude – an understated, mournful riff – before returning to a vocal-driven finale.

The album closes, once again accompanied by birdsong, with Learn How to Sink. Here, Anthony allows a ray of light to shine through: warmer chords and percussion lend the track a more hopeful atmosphere, even as the vocals remain romantically melancholic. It feels like the suggestion of a new direction – one where Anthony embraces the fuller sound of a band behind him. And just as it seems to bloom into something larger, the record ends, almost too soon.

In sum, Dreary Lake is a raw yet intimate slowcore record that finds beauty in simplicity and vulnerability. While steeped in melancholy, its closing moments suggest growth and renewal – hinting at where Steven Anthony might head next.

 This review was made possible by SubmitHub

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