Reflections of Darkness — Los Angeles Post-Punk Project The Discussion Debuts Video for “In the Mirror”

In the mirror of darkness I fell

Upon the throes of destiny

I sift through echoes to hear your voice

One more time through fevered dreams

Have you ever fallen into a mirror of darkness? It’s a brutal reflection.

Laura Pleasants, formerly of the heavy band Kylesa, launched The Discussion as a vehicle to explore her post-punk and alt-rock origins while sharpening her songwriting craft. After a fruitful fifteen-year run with Kylesa, Laura embarked on a period of solo experimentation, which quickly culminated in her debut EP and a subsequent European tour.

The Discussion’s latest single, In The Mirror, plunges into themes of loss and existential dread. The track’s lyrics are laden with dark, poetic imagery—from cobwebs entangling lost time and space, to fiery skies mirrored in dark reflections—creating a haunting elegy to fading love and light.

“When writing In The Mirror, I started with a simple beat and bassline; really vibing on Asylum Party as a reference before the song came into its own,” says Pleasants. “I wanted the guitar to sorta repeat and float over the simplicity and pulse of the beat and the bass to create a mood. Lyrically, it’s dark. It’s real. Life happens.”

The video for In The Mirror, directed by Sydney Mills of General Violence, presents an eerie showcase of Laura Pleasants’ commanding vocals. Set against a backdrop of moody blue silhouettes and enhanced with prism effects, the video carries a spooky aesthetic that complements the haunting tones of the track.

Watch “In The Mirror” below:

After letting her ideas simmer for a couple of years, Laura Pleasants fully committed to The Discussion, teaming up with Jason Corbett of ACTORS. The collaboration sparked quickly, leading to the recording of her first full-length album shortly thereafter. Building on the groundwork laid by the legends of first-wave post-punk, dark romantic new wave and goth with a distinctly modern approach that nods to the wider canons of shoegaze and death rock.

“I wanted to work with Jason Corbett because not only am I a big ACTORS fan, but I’m a big fan of their production,” she says. “I made an effort to seek him out specifically as I knew working with him would be the right decision. In addition to becoming fast friends, the collaboration has been a very creatively satisfying experience. He understood my vision and was able to take it to a level I would not have been able to get to on my own.”

With momentum at an all-time high, Laura is now preparing to take The Discussion to a whole new level during the months to come and expand her audience wider than ever before. A series of local and regional performances and a waterfall of new singles are already on the horizon, setting the stage for a robust touring schedule in 2025.

Find the new single “In The Mirror” on Bandcamp here.

Catch The Discussion live:

• June 22 – Calgary, AB (SLED Island Fest)
• Summer Shows in Southern California TBA
• November 22 San Diego, CA w/ ACTORS @Brick By Brick
• November 23 Los Angeles, CA w/ ACTORS @ Lodge Room

Follow The Discussion:

• Bandcamp
• Spotify
• Instagram
• Facebook
• TikTok