There isn’t anything here quite as immediate as Masochist or Hypermania from The Death Of Me, but Polaris conjure emotion in a different way. It’s more palpable in the music as well as the lyrics, which the colossal With Regards executes especially well with its fusion of a pitch-perfect emo chorus and stratosphere-scraping instrumentals.
In less tragic times, Fatalism would still be a mighty step forwards, and ought to keep Polaris accelerating. In these ones, it comes with a sobering sadness. Nonetheless, it cements their name as one of the best of their peers. As tributes go, it's a fine one.
Verdict: 4/5
For fans of: Vexed, Bury Tomorrow, In Hearts Wake
Fatalism is released on September 1 via SharpTone