THE PRIZE FIGHTER INFERNO

The City Introvert EVIL INK RECORDS

Coheed frontman’s solo project shines bright despite dark roots.

Last March was a devastatingly perfect storm for Coheed And Cambria leader Claudio Sanchez. Not only was coronavirus becoming a household name, the musician’s grandfather fell ill and his wife began her battle with an autoimmune disease. Looking within, Sanchez revisited his solo project The Prize Fighter Inferno for catharsis. The result is, on the surface, paradoxically brimming with good-time vibes.

Amplifying Coheed’s hooks while ditching the rock attack, The City Introvert can be joyously sunny; More Than Love conjoins auto-tuned vocals with balmy synth, while the zippy chorus in Roll For Initiative would fit snugly on a Taylor Swift LP. The bait for prog fans is the ease at which Sanchez layers his tracks, but the heart here is a man lost at sea using music to navigate through troubled waters. For all its playful synth and drum machines, finale Stay Where You Are is one of the more touching moments, as vulnerable vocals marry with floral acoustic guitar. ‘Isn’t it so hard this way/letting go/but hold your fondest memory and hold it close,’ Sanchez sings, and in that aching moment you can’t help but be right by his side.