Ever since emerging out of Leeds at the start of the decade, Static Dress have constantly shown a willingness to stand out from the crowd. Frontman Olli Appleyard has spearheaded a multimedia fictional world, utilising comic books, video games, and music videos to add layers. Their debut album, ‘Rouge Carpet Disaster,’ focused on the concept of “death in Hollywood”. It elevated the quartet to noteworthy support slots on arena tours and festival spots. With that 2022 outing and its ‘Redux’ edition, they established a wide-ranging sound rooted in post-hardcore. Now its much-anticipated follow-up has arrived, ‘Injury Episode’.
Static Dress‘ second full-length maintains the ambitious scope of its predecessor, yet it sees them becoming sharper, offering an array of soaring, memorable moments. From the outset, ‘questioning’ pairs this arena-aiming mindset with a gritty bite as Appleyard proclaims “we are nothing at best”. Against a backdrop of textured guitars from Vin Weight and Sam Ogden’s punching drum work, it sets the tone. Next, ‘Pharmacy Film’ delivers one of ‘Injury Episode’s early highlights. Alongside ‘Malebomb’, it is reminiscent of 2000s post-hardcore bands such as Glassjaw and Finch, thriving on its bouncy, stabbing rhythm.
For all the heavy blasts it serves up, such as the unrelenting ‘Nostalgia Kills’ featuring Underøath and the equally chaotic ‘lip critic,’ Appleyard and company are more than comfortable providing dramatic twists. ‘Adapter’ melts with vulnerability as restrained verses become unglued in the brief choruses. Its closing key change signals hints at relief, despite Appleyard “just suffering”. Their recent single, ‘…hospice,’ once again shows the scale of their collective aspirations. Prospering through its all-out, stadium-sized chorus, it has echoes of My Chemical Romance. Its emotional hook of “So take my dying hand, Find good in the goodbyes,” is complemented by a subtle rawness that is anchored to Static Dress‘ sound. Later on, ‘Adult Diamond’ leans into ballad territory comfortably.
It’s a credit to the four-piece, as well as producer Erik Bickerstaffe of Loathe, that they’ve maintained their abrasive core yet expanded their scope without it sounding messy or dislodged. ‘dull blade disguise’ and ‘human props’ neatly exemplify this. The former is uncompromising yet anthemic. The latter explodes with venomous intent, breathing off the band’s intense execution.
Conceptually, ‘Injury Episode’ can be considered Static Dress‘ most relatable record yet. Appleyard’s narrative draws from trauma, grief, isolation, emotional manipulation, and more, allowing for a complex layer. It builds on the lore of ‘Rouge Carpet Disaster’ without alienating newcomers. Throughout, moments of cracking distortion and subtle imperfections merely add to the authenticity of what Static Dress are trying to do.
They may have been weighed down by the expectations of how to follow up their debut. Unfortunately for Appleyard, Weight, Ogden, and bassist George Holding, ‘Injury Episode’ raises the bar even further. However, on this carefully crafted evidence, they’re certainly more than capable of beating them.
‘Injury Episode’ by Static Dress is released on May 29th on Sumerian Records.
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