Album Review: “Bigger Than Life” by Black Marble

Bigger Than Life is the third full-length project from soloist Chris Stewart, who goes by the artist name of Black Marble. Before the album’s conception, Stewart made a ceremonious, nerve-wracking move from his home in New York to the glimmering city of Los Angeles. Adjusting to a completely new city and its culture, he was amazed by the glamour that somehow remains unique to the west coast. Through Stewart’s process of exploring the new city, getting settled into a new life, and leaving a previous one behind, Bigger Than Life was born.

            The album shows a definite progression from Stewart’s previous discography. The album features elements of synth pop, 80s new-wave, and indie all mixed into one. The general pace of the album is quick and lighthearted. Compared to previous Black Marble projects, this album definitely feels more easygoing and uninhibited. However, with all three of his projects, Stewart has remained consistent with the ominous undertone that inhabits all of his songs. The album almost seems like it could be the soundtrack for the latest season of Stranger Things– the lightheartedness of the children juxtaposed with the lingering doom that always seems to be right around the corner.

            The ominous underscore of the music lies partly in the lyrics, which have an underwhelming and melancholy delivery. The opening track, “Never Tell”, conveys this unnerving feeling right off the bat.

“I never ever met a normal girl / Who kept bones under her bed / But if we’re being honest / That’s what all her schoolmates said.”

            –Never Tell, Black Marble

            The album is nothing if not consistent. All of the songs come together to bring the overall themes – of loneliness, isolation, and new beginnings – to the listeners’ doorstep. While tracks like “One Eye Open”, “Feels”, and “Grey Eyeliner” are definite standouts, the rest of the album blends seamlessly into a soft soundtrack that is great for the active and passive listener alike.

            Easily the cleanest and most polished album of Black Marble’s discography so far, Bigger Than Life is a melancholy trip to the west coast, where we somehow find ourselves and lose ourselves at the same time. With the same sinister undertones of his previous projects, it seems that Stewart sees Bigger Than Life as a stepping stone – in his personal life and professional career alike.