The Wonder Years - Sister Cities

Have you ever wondered what a pop punk band would sound like if they were really, really sad? Like if instead of writing songs about having cool friends and getting out of your hometown they sang about not fitting in, death and loneliness? If you ever have wondered what that might sound like, check out The Wonder Years. They are, in my opinion, one of the most important bands in their genre right now. Having transitioned from pop punk to a more post-hardcore/emo sound, their newest record Sister Cities is far more dark and melancholy than their back catalogue. I mean their entire back catalogue has elements of sadness and struggle running through it, but that's mainly in vocalist Dan "Soupy" Campbell's lyrics. On this record, the pain in the lyrics is mirrored by the music.

The lead single Sister Cities is probably the most familiar sounding track on the record, featuring their usual formula of fast paced verses and enormous soaring choruses. The rest of the album treads a number of different paths. Pyramids of Salt is a soft and sombre affair, swelling and calming in all the right places to create a moody rollercoaster ride through the senses. Heavens Gate (Sad & Sober) is a boiling pot of emotion that's spilling over the brim from beginning to end. Check out the second verse in particular. If you can't feel the emotion in Soupy's voice then you're probably dead inside (sorry if reading this is how you found out). The Orange Grove is crammed full of vocal melodies that are impossible not to love, delicately draped over tastefully written verses and punchy chorus chords. The tracks that stand out the most here, though, are the softer songs. The passion and feel that's been woven into them is impossible to ignore, and I found myself getting hung up on every single note. Tracks like Flowers Where Your Face Should Be, When The Blue Finally Came and The Ocean Grew Hands To Hold Me are all simply breathtaking. All of them create an atmosphere that completely envelops you, leaving you to drift amongst the delicate guitar tones and soothing vocals. The latter is especially impressive, utilising string sections and atmospheric effects to gradually build towards a mountain of tone and a truly moving outro section. After the final chord abruptly comes to an end, I found myself somewhat speechless. To say that it impressed me is a huge understatement. I was genuinely moved by it.

How The Wonder Years aren't bigger than they are is a complete mystery to me. They're unique, they're always grafting and pushing forwards, continually evolving. With every album they change ever so slightly, each one sounding different yet still retaining their signature sound. This record is no different. This record is truly special. It's one of those records that you can only fully appreciate by listening to it from beginning to end. Don't get me wrong, every single track is strong enough to stand alone and impress, but the journey that this takes you on is so worth keeping your fingers away from the skip button. Sister Cities is yet another diamond to add to their already glistening collection. You should add it to yours.

What I've Been Listening To - October 2017

I haven't posted on here for a few weeks. I've been a busy man. I went on tour for 2 weeks. I've been picking up shifts at my jobs (gotta earn them dollar bills y'all). I've started writing articles for Invicta Magazine, which I'm super stoked about. The latter is one of the biggest factors for me ignoring this blog, which has been completely unintentional if I'm honest. I've just devoted more of my time to Invicta. But, that said, I am going to try and balance my time between both and keep this one alive. I like writing innit. And I like listening to music and telling you, whoever you are, what I think of it. I mean no one could be reading this at all. The website is telling me people are reading it but for all I know it could just be my dad refreshing the page a few hundred times to make me feel good about myself. If you are doing that dad, thank you, it's working. But just in case people actually do read this, I'm gonna carry on. And with that in mind, here's some stuff I've been listening to in October, both whilst on tour and whilst working.

Veil Of Maya - False Idol

After the release of their previous album Matriarch, Veil Of Maya really came into their own. Musically they've always been incredible, but the addition of Lukas Maygar provided them with something they hadn't had before. That something was range. A vocalist that not only had a punishing scream, but an incredible set of pipes on him with the ability to perform intricate and melodically impressive cleans. Matriarch was something special, and False Idol continues to impress. Doublespeak is full of pit-worthy riffs and an enormous soaring chorus. Whistleblower is pure filth, and has the potential to snap a few necks with some infectiously catchy riffs. Pool Spray is heavier than heavy, winding and bending through passage after passage of sheer brilliance. The entire album is proof that they've found their formula and know how to use it. If you aren't a fan of this band yet, now is the time to become one.

Movements - Feel Something

I'd never heard of these guys before until I saw Counterparts tweet about them. The tweet was very complimentary, basically saying that if you don't like the new record you're stupid. A bold claim, I thought, so I checked it out. And it's wonderful. Not what I expected at all, considering the type of music the band that mentioned them dabble with. I'd class it as a blend of pop punk and emo; very emotionally driven but catchy in all the right places, and also very chilled out at times too. Think Boston Manor and La Dispute having a baby, but that baby being brought up by Taking Back Sunday. Don't just take my word for it, go and check out single Colorblind and album track Third Degree. If you like what you hear, you'll love the album.

The Used - The Canyon

This is one of the first records I was sent to review for Invicta, and it's honestly one of the best albums I've heard all year. I've been a huge fan of The Used for a very long time, ever since the release of In Love And Death over a decade ago. Their more recent material was harder for me to get in to. Perhaps that was because my music tastes had changed. Maybe the newer material simply wasn't as good. But, regardless, my first listen of The Canyon made me feel the way I used to feel about this band. It was nostalgic, yet still managed to sound refreshing and current. Single Over and Over Again is a slice of emo pop-tinged gold, with an unforgettable chorus and a super catchy verse riff. Vertigo Cave has got one of those riffs in it that I can refer to as THAT RIFF, because when it happens you'll know exactly which one I'm on about. Moon-Dream is a chilled out orchestral masterpiece. The Nexus is a gospel-feeling southern tinged creeper, drifting in and out of both the calm and the storm. The whole album is just brilliant. If you ever loved this band, or have ever been a fan of emo, this album is completely worth your time. Check out my full review for Invicta Magazine here.

36 Crazyfists - A Snow Capped Romance

Reviewing Lanterns last month reignited my flame for 36 Crazyfists, and as a result I started to re-listen to their back catalogue. For me, the album that gets me into a band tends to remain my favourite. And that is definitely the case here. A Snow Capped Romance is full of so much nostalgia for me, and provides me with visual memories when I listen to certain songs. I remember finishing my classwork really fast one science lesson and listening to Skin And Atmosphere with my friend, sharing a headphone each. I remember sitting in my bedroom and repeatedly pressing pause and play to try and figure out how to play Destroy The Map. I remember the time when Kenai was the heaviest song I'd heard up to that point, and falling completely in love with heavy music. And as for Bloodwork, I honestly can't remember having a song on repeat quite as much as when this came out. This was a really important album for me, and it hugely shaped my musical tastes going forwards. If you've never checked this out and like the heavier side of metalcore, this album is essential listening.

Gideon - Cold

Whilst on tour, we had the absolute pleasure of playing a show with In Hearts Wake, Gideon and Silent Screams. We honestly get so lucky having the opportunity to play shows like these, especially with bands this big in the scene right now. Gideon are a massive influence on our guitarist, Andy, and since discovering them a few years back I'd be lying if I said I wasn't influenced by them too. Cold, their newest offering, is a continuation of what they do best. Writing big riffs and big breakdowns and delivering them with class. Cursed is an undeniable mosh anthem, and can open a pit within the first 10 seconds (which they proved with ease at the show). Freedom is a Hatebreed like hardcore anthem, actually featuring guest vocals from Jamey Jasta himself. Walk Alone is heavy as sin, pulling no punches and hitting hard chug after chug. All the material sounds insanely huge live, and they were easily my band of the night. I like to think of these guys as a way more angry and pissed off The Ghost Inside. If that sounds like it might be your cup of tea, it most likely will be. Drink up.

As per usual, if you think there's something that I should be listening to or something that you think is worth reviewing, let me know! I'll listen to literally anything and I could talk about music literally forever, so nothing is off the card. Just sling us a message and I'll check out whatever you suggest, and I'll be as honest as I can be about what I hear.

As mentioned at the top, I will be actively trying to write more for this blog going forwards and balancing my focus between this and Invicta. Expect to see a rise in the amount of things I post in the near future. Thanks for reading!

D.S

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What I've Been Listening To - September 2017

What a month this has been for new music. What. A. Month. An incredible month for hardcore with some of the scenes heavyweights finally unveiling new material, as well as some huge sounding albums from a variety of other genres. Some of those albums have stuck with me throughout the month, snagging my attention right from the first listening and keeping me addicted. Other albums I've listened to are ones I've been rediscovering; revisiting their musical pools and going for a swim. The following albums are where I've done the majority of my metaphorical swimming.

The Contortionist - Clairvoyant

Wow. Just wow. I've been a huge fan of The Contortionist for a few years now, but this album is something else. Their most melodic album to date, but I honestly think it's their best. The way it flows from beginning to end is so smooth, transitioning from soft calm passages to dramatic flamboyant cadences, it's a real musical journey that I want to keep going on. If you aren't familiar with The Contortionist and you like modern prog, do not sleep on this album. A very strong contender for album of the year.

Seaway - Vacation

One of pop punks most underrated acts have released one of the genres best albums of 2017. The album is full of infectiously catchy vocals and bouncy posi vibe riffs that it's literally impossible not to like. If you could pack a sunny holiday into an album, this is exactly what it would sound like. Best listened to with a hatred for your home town and more pizza than your appetite can handle. Maybe listen to it with friends that you don't mind sharing pizza with.

PVRIS - All We Know Of Heaven, All We Need Of Hell

This one has been a bit of a grower for me, but after a few listens I'm in love with it. I was hooked on PVRIS after the release of White Noise a few years ago, and was so excited about the new record, but on the first listen it just didn't hit me in the same way. I left it alone for a little while and revisited it, and on doing so it all just fell into place. Lynn's vocals are powerful as ever, and the vibe of the music is just as brooding and intricate as before, just with a slightly more commercial feel. I don't think they've topped White Noise, but this album is still worth your time.

Northlane - Singularity

Their best album with Adrian, without a shadow of a doubt. Northlane have become a powerhouse over the last few years with the addition of Marcus, adding an incredible vocal range to their sound and adapting their music ever so slightly to compliment his voice. Singularity, however, is an unrelenting beast of an album, and quite possibly the bands best. The guitar riffs are heavy and intricate, their use of dynamics is clever and tasteful, and the vocals are just so raw and full of venom. It's impossible to listen to this and not want to trash everything that's around you.

Funeral For A Friend - Casually Dressed And Deep In Conversation

I have so much love for this album. I grew up listening to this, and pretty much the entire reason I had a massive emo fringe was because Darran Smith did. The vocals are all so catchy and emotionally driven, remaining memorable all these years. The guitar work is sensational, and there wasn't really an emo band around at the time that were writing riffs like that. They were essentially a metal band that were upset about a lot of things. This is one of my favourite albums of all time, and I'll never get bored of this record.

September has been great for music, for all genres. I hope that October proves to be just as fruitful. If anyone reading this has anything they'd like me to review, be it a band I need to check out or perhaps it's your own band, let me know!

D.S

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ALAZKA - Pheonix

Post-hardcore. A genre laden with passion, emotion, and energy in infectious levels. It's popularity has been on the rise for years, with bands like Glassjaw and At The Drive In paving the way for countless bands to follow. Bands that are appearing in the scene today display the genre in it's current evolved state, with polished production, uplifting melodies, pain-filled screams and equally pain-filled clean vocals. Hailing from Germany, ALAZKA are a fine example of this. Formerly Burning Down Alaska, they've undergone a rebrand, picked up a clean vocalist, and released an absolute corker of an album with Pheonix. One that holds nothing back. One that demands you listen to it.

Right from the very beginning of the album, you can tell that this is going to be an emotional journey. Opening tracks "Ghost" and "Empty Throne" are full of pain and heartbreak, especially in the vocals. The sheer grit and rawness of Tobias Rische paired with the powerful sultry tones of Kassim Auale are painting the same canvas with two separate brushes, leaving you with a colourful and brutally honest picture. The dynamics of both songs are tasteful and complimentary to the vocals, making the emotional delivery of the vocals more emotional and the power of the aggressive sections more aggressive. "Pheonix" and "Blossom" showcase the bands ability to write anthemic material, both boasting enormous choruses and immaculate melodies. Perfectly paced and bursting with heartbreak and agony, it's very hard to not feel something whilst listening, no matter how black or dead your heart might be. "Everything" provides a passionate change of pace in the middle of the album, slowing things right down and showing a musically lighter and more ballad driven side to the band. In a way I guess you could describe the whole album as ballads, as all of the songs are about very honest and heartfelt issues, but this song in particular really strips things back a little and adds some diversity to the album. The entire album is great, but the highlight for me is "Hearts of Gold", a slice of post-hardcore excellence from beginning to end. The chorus has a gang chant vibe about it and sounds enormous, sitting perfectly over the thick guitar chords and pounding drums. Dropping the volume in all the right places, tastefully rising and falling in all the right places and really erupting with feeling on the run up to the tracks close. Although technically not their debut, this album shows real promise and potential. I would be surprised if this album doesn't get them places.

A few years aho, I had listened to Values and Virtues, their album when they were known as Burning Down Alaska, and I can honestly say that I was underwhelmed by it. It was good, sure, but it wasn't anything special. They weren't doing anything particularly different, they were just another good post-hardcore band. But this album tells a different story. This album is leagues above their previous effort. Vocally impressive, musically tasteful and powerful, Pheonix sets them apart from their previous album and allows their reincarnation as ALAZKA to stand very much in it's own league. The Pheonix has risen.

D.S

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