Constancia – ‘The Next Step’

(Independent)

There are certain albums that arrive with absolutely no interest in reinventing the wheel, and you know what? Sometimes that is precisely what you need. In a musical landscape where everybody seems desperate to push boundaries, blur genres and come up with the next big thing, there is something incredibly reassuring about a band that understands exactly what makes classic melodic rock so damn enjoyable. Constancia’s The Next Step is one of those albums.

This is melodic rock in its purest and most traditional form, built around strong melodies, polished musicianship, memorable hooks and the kind of accessible songwriting that gets under your skin without demanding that you decipher some musical puzzle first. There is no unnecessary experimentation here and certainly no desire to make things more complicated than they need to be. Constancia simply concentrates on delivering quality melodic rock, and they do it with considerable confidence.

The title The Next Step is rather appropriate because there is a feeling throughout the album of a band continuing to develop while remaining firmly rooted in the traditions that inspired them. This is music that understands the importance of melody. In fact, melody is absolutely central to everything Constancia does here. The arrangements are designed to support the songs rather than overwhelm them, allowing the hooks and choruses to remain firmly at the forefront.

And when melodic rock is done properly, that is exactly how it should be.

There is a wonderfully polished quality to the production, but thankfully it never becomes so glossy that the music loses its personality. Janne Stark and Patrik Svärd’s guitars have enough bite to keep things rocking, while Marcus Zerath’s keyboards add atmosphere and that unmistakable melodic sheen that fans of the genre will immediately recognise. The rhythm section, Stefan Rosqvist (bass) and Peter Svensson (drums) provide a solid foundation throughout, giving the album enough drive without ever overpowering the songwriting.

What really impresses is how effortlessly Constancia manages to balance rock attitude with commercial accessibility. This isn't watered-down pop wearing a leather jacket; there is genuine rock muscle underneath the melodic exterior. At the same time, the band clearly understands that a great melodic rock song should be something you can sing along to after only a couple of listens. That combination is becoming increasingly rare, and The Next Step makes the most of it.

There is also a definite sense of nostalgia running through the album, although I would hesitate to call this merely retro. Constancia are clearly drawing inspiration from the great melodic rock records of the past, particularly that glorious period when AOR and melodic hard rock could still combine muscular guitars with huge, instantly memorable choruses. Yet they bring those influences into the modern era rather than simply attempting to recreate a long-lost sound.

The songwriting is another major strength. These are concise, focused compositions that know when to build, when to explode into a chorus and when to pull things back. There is a strong emphasis on emotion as well, with the material dealing with relationships, choices, regret and the complicated business of being human. That emotional element gives the album considerably more depth than its polished exterior might initially suggest.

One of the great pleasures of The Next Step is just how easy it is to listen to. This is an album that doesn't require a particular mood or occasion. You can throw it on when you need some classic melodic rock energy, crank up the volume and simply enjoy the ride. It has that elusive feel-good quality that so many records in this genre strive for but don't always achieve.

The album also demonstrates that brevity can be a virtue. With only five songs, The Next Step is obviously a considerably shorter proposition than your average full-length album. However, there is something refreshing about that. Constancia don't pad things out simply to hit a particular running time. Every composition has room to make its impression, and the result is a concise collection that leaves you wanting more rather than wondering when the album is finally going to finish.

Kicking things off in confident fashion, ‘Good Enough Ain’t Enough’ is a great introduction to Constancia’s melodic rock sound. There’s an immediate sense of melody and purpose, with the guitars providing plenty of rock muscle while the hooks keep everything firmly accessible. The chorus is exactly the sort of thing melodic rock fans will be looking for, with a strong sing-along quality that makes an instant impression. It sets the tone for an album that values songwriting above unnecessary musical excess.

There’s a slightly more emotional flavour to ‘Lover In Disguise’, combining polished melodic rock with a strong sense of atmosphere. The arrangement gives the melody plenty of room to breathe, while the guitars add just enough bite to prevent things becoming overly sugary. It’s the kind of song that gradually works its way into your head, with another memorable chorus and plenty of melodic detail tucked into the arrangement.

A wonderfully reflective piece of melodic rock, ‘If I Could Travel Back In Time’ brings a touch of nostalgia and regret into the equation. The songwriting has a genuine emotional quality, while the polished production ensures everything sounds suitably big without sacrificing the song’s intimacy. There’s a particularly strong melodic sensibility here, making it one of those compositions that benefits from repeated listens. Constancia show that they can handle the softer side of the genre just as effectively as the rockier material.

Things take on a slightly harder edge on ‘Chasing Your Lies’, with the guitars given more opportunity to flex their muscles. There’s still plenty of melody at the heart of the song, but the overall feel has a little more attitude and urgency. The rhythm section keeps everything moving along nicely, while the chorus once again delivers the kind of hook that melodic rock fans crave. It’s a confident performance and one of the more energetic moments on the album.

Closing the album on a suitably melodic note, ‘If I Take A Chance’ is a fitting finale to a short but enjoyable collection. There’s an uplifting quality running through the arrangement, while the songwriting manages to combine emotion with the polished accessibility that defines The Next Step. It leaves you with the feeling that Constancia have plenty more to offer and, given the quality of this release, hopefully there will be considerably more music to come.

If there is one criticism, it is that anyone looking for musical experimentation or genre-defying surprises will probably find little here. But frankly, that misses the point. Constancia aren't trying to reinvent melodic rock. They are celebrating it, refining it and demonstrating why the formula has endured for so many decades.

And there is absolutely nothing wrong with that.

The Next Step is a confident, melodic and thoroughly enjoyable release that should appeal to anyone who still believes that a great chorus, a soaring melody and a set of ringing guitars can make for a bloody good time. It has the polish, accessibility and musicianship expected from modern melodic rock, while retaining enough of the old-school spirit to satisfy those of us who grew up loving the genre.

Constancia have taken another step forward without forgetting where they came from, and The Next Step is the result: a compact, hook-laden melodic rock release that puts songwriting firmly ahead of unnecessary musical gymnastics.

Sometimes the best way forward is to remember what made the journey worthwhile in the first place.

A polished and highly enjoyable slice of melodic rock that delivers the hooks, emotion and classic AOR sensibilities. If melodic rock is your thing, Constancia have plenty here to put a smile on your face.

8/10

Essential Track – ‘Lover In Disguise’

Review by Woody