Album DEBUT: ‘Stillness in Movement’ by Objects
‘Stillness In Movement’ Cover Art. Courtesy of Objects
Artist: Objects
Genre: Ambient Post-Metal
Label: Independent
Reviewed Music: ‘Stillness in Movement’ (Album, May 29, 2026) 4 Tracks (33 min 56 sec)
“Ethers” (6:03)
“Stillness in Movement” (9:16)
“Futility” (6:54)
“Ridges” (11:43)
Audio Credits:
All songs written and performed by Objects.
Recorded with Brian McTear and Amy Morrissey at Miner Street Recordings
Review of ‘Stillness in Movement’ (Album, May 29, 2026) by Objects
The thing about music and art that I hope everyone understands is that it’s inherently subjective. Taste is a key component of enjoyment in art, and as such there’s no such thing as “objectively good” music—there is objectively bad music, but I digress. So when it comes to reviewing and recommending art, I always ask myself: did it succeed at what it was trying to do?
For ‘Stillness is Movement’, the answer is a resounding yes.
Objects classifies themselves as “ambient post-metal” - which is a genre tag I could not even imagine until I heard this album - and they deliver on that premise expertly. What struck me first was the pacing and structure of the very first track: “Ethers”, their first single, released on March 31st, 2026. At no point does this track ever overstay its welcome. It sits in each level of the build-up for exactly long enough to make it stick without letting it fade into background sound.
The pacing isn’t a fluke, either: it is, in my opinion (after listening to ‘Stillness is Movement’ more times than I might care to admit), the hallmark of Objects’ sound. The entire album is immaculately paced, structured with a deliberate and complete understanding of when to move, when to stay, when to rise, and when to fall. This is not pure ambiance and it’s not pure metal: it hits right in the balance between. It’s something softer than metal, more engaging than ambiance, and altogether so much more than the base sum of its parts.
“Ethers” is pure build: steady, consistent, and growing more and more intense across its six-minute track time.
“Stillness” is Movement follows a similar path, but we get a build-up to a break-open moment, then more build-up after the break, and then a droning and almost grating (and I mean ‘grating’ in the most positive, progressive-leaning way) outro.
“Futility” is a rise-and-fall, crashing open almost violently before falling back into more complicated softness, building to an even higher rise, and then fading away.
“Ridges”, like “Futility”, is a series of rises and falls; we get truly beautiful, delicate builds into complex climaxes and then back down again, and the main melodic line evolves intuitively throughout its nearly 12-minute length.
“…The entire Album is immaculately paced, structured with a deliberate and complete understanding of when to move, when to stay, when to rise, and when to fall...” - L.S.
Objects live, 2026. - Photo Credits: Clairvoyant Productions
Objects know what they’re doing on every level: structurally (as already noted, but I will keep noting it because I am so, so impressed), musically (as individuals and as a unit), and technically. The guitar tone is hypnotically smooth. The rhythms are driving without being forceful. The production balance is a literal dream - nothing is buried, every sound is placed in perfect aural harmony. The drums (my personal weakness) are brilliant. And even without “lyrics” in the traditional sense, the emotion in these tracks is palpable. We are made to feel through the beauty of the melodic lines, the anguish of the vocals, the deep and driving presence of stunning bass lines, and drum rhythms that range from steady to pure adrenaline.
Objectively*:Objects have created an album that will unquestioningly appeal to their target listening audience, and they’ve done it in a way that I can easily see reaching even further (Sleep Token fans, I’m looking at you: get over here).
Subjectively… I love this album. I love it from start to finish. At no point in my many (many) listens have I been bored. At no point have I wished for any solitary second to be different. I am fully and completely on board with Objects; hypnotized, drawn in, and absolutely floored by the sheer level of craft evident with each beat, every note, and the entire runtime of these four songs.
John, Ben, and Raleigh: thank you. From the bottom of my heart, thank you for making this music. I’ll be here whenever you decide to make more. - L.S.
* ”Objectively”, again, meaning: did it succeed?
FFO: Deafheaven, Cult of Luna, ISIS, Russian Circles, Rosetta
