Opening the album with a solemn, wide-eyed anthem, “Age of Understanding” sets the tone for a reflective journey. Tied up by the line “From stones to drones, the same design,” it frames human conflict as an ancient loop. Schelander’s vocals are emotionally weighted, transporting quiet urgency and intimacy. The production favors clarity and warmth, establishing the album’s overarching ethos: empathy over pain, understanding over division.
A socially charged anthem that wears its conscience proudly, “Changes Must Come” critiques inequality with stark lines like “There are too many hungry everywhere” and “Only one percent owns almost all of it”. The vocals here are earnest and unvarnished, more like a shared reckoning rather than a sermon. Musically, steady rhythms and warm low-end form a strong foundation.
When we get to “Christmas After the War,” Ashes and Seeds slows the pace for haunting reflection. Schelander’s tender vocals deliver lines like “A son whispers in his father’s ear. Ashes are falling like snow” and capture the fragile resilience of those living through conflict. The sparse arrangements of piano, soft strings, and delicate percussion echo the somber lyrics, while moments like “A star still shines through shattered glass, reminding them this too shall pass” stay with us, leaving a bittersweet hope in our hearts.
In “Decisions You Make,” the album ramps up with fiery, socially conscious energy. The commanding vocals deliver lines like “Decisionmaking! — it’s what we’re born to do. Every step you’re taking, the world looks back at you” with clarity and conviction. The production creates a cinematic soundscape, underscoring the tension between complacency and action in “Plastic oceans, burning skies. Corporate profits dressed as lies.” This is an energizing anthem that bridges personal responsibility and global awareness.
A piercing critique of environmental apathy, “Denial Nation” balances biting irony and urgency: “We′re a Denial Nation, feelin′ good on vacation. Sip our drinks while the seas are risin’.” The vocals shift between intensity and reflection, while the reggae instrumentation mirrors the societal tension. The production keeps the message front and center, a clear wake-up call for listeners.
The sixth track, “Hand in Hand,” is a soaring anthem that urges ‘Gen Z’ to reclaim kindness in a world “lost in a world of shiny lies.” The raw, emotive vocals carry nostalgia and urgency, reinforced by harmonies and a blend of electronic and organic instrumentation. The repeated line “bring it back, hand in hand” serves as a unifying call to action, perfectly capturing the album’s hopeful undercurrent.
“Holy Wars and Wasted Meals” marries deep lyricism with evocative musicality. The haunting repetition, “Holy wars… and wasted meals,” sets a disillusioned tone. The vocals are raw yet measured, delivering lines like “We’re still burning down the future’s fields, while preaching love we never feel” with sincere weight. The production creates grandeur and melancholy, complementing the thematic critique of war, greed, and moral hypocrisy.
Another reggae track, “Nowhere to Go,” is a meditation on climate displacement and highlights the vulnerability of island communities with lines like, “The palms still sway, but the sand′s getting thin. The waves roll closer, keep on rolling in.” The vocals are intimate yet urgent, paired with gentle instrumentation. The layered harmonies echo ancestral songs, making the refrain “where will we go when the water climbs high” strikingly deep.
A rallying anthem of communal action and responsibility, “We Are Ashes and Seeds” blends earthy textures with modern depth, thanks to its reggae roots. The vocals are impassioned, employing a call-and-response style—“—‘Ashes!’ —‘Seeds!’ —‘Truth!’ —‘Deeds!’”—to create a sense of collective purpose. The song embodies the band’s ethos: confront greed, nurture action, rise together.
Closing the album with a haunting reflection on human escapism, the lyrics of “What Will You Do?” confront ecological negligence head-on with lyrics like, “We′re chasing stars while the skies are grey. Building ships just to drift away.” The vocals blend desperation and indictment, while atmospheric synths and restrained percussion create a cinematic, sobering backdrop. The track leaves us with a final, urgent plea: awareness before it’s too late.
“Power of Truth” is an album that marries message and music with remarkable care. Schelander’s vocals remain intimate yet commanding across diverse themes—social inequality, climate change, war, and the power of empathy. The instrumentation is spacious, warm, and dynamic, with arrangements that allow lyrics to breathe while subtly reinforcing emotional arcs. The production emphasizes clarity and resonance, making each song a listening pleasure and a thought-provoking experience.
With this record, Ashes and Seeds proves that music can carry weight without losing beauty, that messages of hope, responsibility, and empathy can coexist with artistry and melody. “Power of Truth” is more than an album—it’s a call to reflection, a soundtrack for conscious living, and an invitation to join a band that believes in music with meaning.
Listen to the “Power of Truth” album on Spotify
Subscribe to Ashes and Seeds YouTube
