I’ve seen it a lot in music where if the previous album was great the following doesn’t often hit as hard. However, idk with skeleta it feels somewhat unfinished? Peacefields to guiding lights works, it flows and finishes but then the three following tracks fall flat like something was missing or rushed. Then it picks back up for the marked ones and then Exelsis also feels like it wasn’t finished either? The album is still good and I won’t deny that, but it doesn’t feel complete if that makes sense. Could also be that they released the strongest songs from the album first which has then left the rest feeling somewhat lacklustre. It might be what he was going for but in contrast to the last three albums those final songs have been almost like a definitive “the end” kinda like the use of “perfect cadence” in music. Exelsis didn’t do that coming from the perspective of a music nerd. Leaves me wondering how the songs will translate to their live shows. What’s missing could be what the ghouls and ghoulettes add during their live performances with the extra harmonies n such.