It would be easy for Starflyer 59 to make another record that just reminds us of the old ones. Jason Martin has been doing this for more than thirty years, and he has given us plenty of reasons to keep listening. Lust for Gold looks back, but it also asks what happens when the years keep moving and the people you knew are no longer around. That gives these songs more weight than a simple return to the past.

"909" gets the album started with a strong melody and the kind of guitar sound that made me love this band in the first place. The title track is darker, with Martin sounding worn down by the chase for something that never quite satisfies. "My Lungs" settles into a hazy groove, and "YZ80" turns a memory of riding with a friend into one of the most affecting songs here. These are specific stories, but you don't have to share them to recognize the feeling.

The second half may be even better. "No Sweat" takes its time, building tension without needing a huge payoff. "1995" is the song that stays with me most. It looks back at a time when the future seemed wide open, while knowing that some of those friends are gone. "Everyone Seems Strange" brings faith and friendship into the same uneasy conversation. I appreciate that Martin does not wrap any of it up in a neat answer. "The Breaks" closes the album with a little warmth after all that reflection.

At eight songs, I wanted a bit more when it ended, but I would rather have a focused record than one padded out with weaker material. The guitars, melodies, and understated vocals all sound unmistakably Starflyer 59. What makes Lust for Gold special is how plainly it deals with getting older, losing touch, and trying to hold on to what matters. It is one of the strongest albums of this later chapter of the band.