Post-Hardcore Sunday!
What better way to celebrate Father’s Day than with our first ever Post-Hardcore Sunday!
Left On Read – “fragments”
From the stolen Indigenous land of Portland, we have Left On Read and their latest single, "fragments." Musically, it's a tasteful amalgamation of Deftones and Slint, with deliciously overdriven guitars juxtaposed against mellifluous passages of arpeggiated clean notes and the occasional burst of rhythmic sixteenths. Vocally, the band effortlessly shifts between melody and gut-wrenching screams, delivering a performance that's easily on par with any of the mainstream shit your algorithm is feeding you. "fragments" is a solid example of vibrantly compelling songwriting and can be found in the pole position of the band's new EP, it bleeds from you. Connect with Left On Read: Spotify | Instagram | Bandcamp
Photo by Natasha Koziarska
EXTS – “There's Nothing Left”
Out of Leeds, EXTS are relatively new to the scene, but their latest track, "There's Nothing Left," sounds as though it's been meticulously crafted by post-hardcore veterans. They don't tease us with an intro of feedback or atmospheric swells. Instead, they throw us directly into the ring with a blistering double-time beat and walls of crushing distortion. We have no perfect comparisons to offer, though the massive gang vocals scattered throughout should resonate with fans of Pierce the Veil and their ilk. What truly impresses us is the musicianship. "There's Nothing Left" seamlessly marries the intricacies of metalcore with the raw aggression of hardcore, resulting in a track that's as technically impressive as it is viscerally satisfying. Connect with EXTS: Spotify | Instagram
MØNØDREAM – “NØBØDY'S PUPPET”
Finally, for those of you who still cling tightly to the coattails of emo, MØNØDREAM is one of the best offerings we have this week. With "NØBØDY'S PUPPET," the Czech Republic-based outfit seems to own the patent on emotional hardcore, gloriously melding dialed-back verses with hard-hitting choruses that stretch to the far edges of the soundscape. For those who prefer heavier music that allows you to understand every word without a lyric sheet, it doesn't ring much clearer than this. But that doesn't mean "NØBØDY'S PUPPET" lacks the energy to stir the pit. Quite the contrary. Between the weight of its subject matter and the sheer force of its performance, the track strikes a rare balance between vulnerability and aggression, proving that emotional resonance and sonic devastation are not mutually exclusive. Connect with MØNØDREAM: Spotify | Bandcamp | Instagram
Thanks for reading.
-O.Meaney