Content Breakdown
If I wrote this introduction 24 hours ago, I’d say that this week’s round of #NewMusicFriday releases is relatively weak. However, Bring Me The Horizon deciding to finally release their long-awaited ‘POST HUMAN: NeX GEn’ record on short notice means that’s not the case.
With singles being drip-fed as far back as 2021, the seventh full-length BMTH has be a long time coming. As you can probably guess, with the album’s release being “properly” released with less than a day’s notice, I’ve not heard anything besides the singles. So you won’t find a write-up of it here (yet?)
Besides that, the other considerable “major” release this week is ‘Clancy’ by twenty one pilots. It sees the alt-pop duo conclude the narrative concept that began on 2018’s ‘Trench’ with 2021’s ‘Scaled and Icy’ serving as the bridge between that and ‘Clancy’. Whereas Say Anything reemerges with ‘…Is Committed’, their first album in five years. Described by frontman and songwriter Max Bemis as “a parody of Say Anything record”, it promises to deliver its fair share of sexual references, with an autobiographical narrative leaning into Bemis’ midlife crisis.
One record that I will be sharing with friends to get their thoughts on is the new record from Capstan. The Florida quintet release their genre-sprawling third album, ‘The Mosaic’ today. I’ve shared my opinion below.
On the heavy side of things, there are new releases from Defects (read more about this below), Another Now, Poolside At The Flamingo, and Single Wound.
Also, on a side note, if you’re wondering why there hasn’t been much Slam Dunk Festival coverage in the lead-up to it this weekend. I decided not to attend this year. While in the past I could’ve asked another writer to cover it, that’s not the case now. Maybe I’ll go next year.
Have a great weekend.
Capstan – The Mosaic
Returning with their third album, Florida’s Capstan delivers a mirage of sounds and textures as they create what its title suggests – a mosaic. With 18 tracks on offer, including the titular’s ten-minute finale, ‘The Mosaic’ can seem like a daunting album. However, through its colourful and versatile delivery, Capstan manages to keep you engaged throughout, even if the quality isn’t consistent.
They don’t do themselves any favours with ‘I. Resolve’ and ‘Misery Scene’ delivering an emotional one-two punch from the outset, instantly setting the bar high. The former serves as a short prelude to Anthony DeMario’s internal turmoil with the latter being one of the infectious tracks on here. Its downbeat lyricism of revelling in pain “because it’s so damn easy” is countered by a bouncy chorus that worms its way into your subconscious. Furthermore, it’s supported by a strong, musical spine that thrives in dizzying post-hardcore.
As you settle into ‘The Mosaic’, Capstan supply a cocktail of soaring choruses, blistering riffs, and intricate grooves. Take ‘Final Words’ for example, blending pop-punk hooks with sturdy riffs and Andrew “Boz” Bozymowski’s pulsating bass lines. ‘Hailey’ bounds in with rapid guitars and drums as DeMario exchanges harmonies with guitarist Joseph Mabry. Meanwhile, Harrison Bormann dominates his fretboard with technical proficiency.
At their core, Capstan specialises in a brand of melodic hardcore that utilises the skills of all of those involved. ‘II. Revise’ twists and turns with density. Both ‘Empire’ and ‘Bête Noire’ lean into the sturdy, hard-hitting end of the genre. The latter momentarily offers a thick breakdown. Throughout, drummer Scott Fisher joins Mabry, Bormann, and Bozymowski to deliver an instrumentally impressive display, allowing them to interject elements of other genres effortlessly. Elements of nu-metal (‘Undertow’), 80’s synth-pop (‘What You Want’) , theatre (‘Empire’), metalcore (‘Moloch’), and cutesy summery pop (‘What Can I Say’) are utilised with mixed results. However, there’s more killer than filler on offer.
The penultimate number, ‘Heart To Heart’ thrives in its modern melodic rock skin with urgency and admirable harmonies, highlighting Capstan‘s catchy capabilities. For every hook Capstan can pull off, they’re equally able to supply plenty of heart-tugging numbers. Piano-led ‘Bloom’ compels due to its lyrical transparency; “all I want now is to leave the world better”, and ‘Dwell’ comfortably (and fittingly) sits in twinkling ballad territory.
By this point, it’s no surprise that the aforementioned lengthy finale brings it all together. Sweeping strings with hip-hop beats before diving head first into heavy territory. Metallic blasts segue into Mabry’s growls, Bormann’s shredding guitar, and Fisher’s pummeling drums. DeMario’s clean vocals take control of the chaos, allowing the combination of contemplative piano keys and introspective vocals to be the track’s compelling peak. Unfortunately, one last full-band foray doesn’t quite pay off, coming off as slightly expected.
Ultimately, on ‘The Mosaic’, Capstan throws everything at the wall to see what sticks. It’s a collage of styles that is anchored by a technically skilled brand of melodic post-hardcore. While results may vary, there’s enough on here to keep your interest.
Defects – Modern Error
After establishing themselves on the live circuit through noteworthy festival spots and shows with Bullet for My Valentine, In Flames, Funeral For A Friend, and Of Mice & Men, Defects finally unleash their debut album – ‘Modern Error’. Earmarked as one of Britain’s promising metal upstarts, it’s complemented by a cathartic narrative, led by singer Tony Maue.
For Defects‘ frontman, ‘Modern Error’ sees him navigate through the buried trauma of being taken into care at a young age. Early on, ‘Scapegoat’ serves as the first of several perspectives of a family member, painting them as a coward. ‘Echo Chamber’ is riddled with regret (“Just know that I tried to love you”) and uncertainty. Joined by Luke Genders (guitar), James Threadwell (guitar), David Silver (bass) and Harry Jennings (drums), it sets a raw and emotionally heavy tone, that expands beyond Maue’s personal troubles.
From ‘End of Days’ ferocious rallying call against those who favour greed, to toxic relationships (‘Another Heart To Bleed’), to the idea of being trapped in a digital prison, on ‘Dream Awake’, Defects confidentally cover plenty of ground. There’s also the socio-political angst on ‘Lockdown’ – “Stay at home, Protect yourself and save lives, An easy way to let them cover their own crime.”
The lyrical weight is matched by the muscular ferociousness executed. Their sound thrives in hefty metallic slabs of big guitars, thunderous percussion, and a wealth of riffs. For example, ‘Recurring’ proves to be a rapid and menacing onslaught. It all sounds bold and executed with precision, yet this leads to a hindrance. For all the musical force and lyrical rawness Defects show, they don’t quite define an identity.
Sure, this can be blamed on the fact that this is their first album, so leaning into their influences is sure to prop up their storytelling. Flourishes of Bury Tomorrow, Parkway Drive, and Linkin Park appear through, yet the reliance on the formulaic ‘scream verses, clean chorus’ trope especially spoils any chance of a lasting impression. Tracks such as ‘Gone To Waste’ and the album’s title track chug with pure aggression, yet allow the quintet to couple them with towering melodies. In the case of the latter, it almost unfortunately takes away from Maue’s resolute words.
As musicians, there’s clearly plenty of talent and potential in Defects‘ ranks. Both Luke Genders and James Threadwell deliver an abundance of scorching riffs, with Silver and Jennings dynamically providing a conquering density. While in Maue is acrobatic in his mix of clean vocals and visceral screams. It’s this promise, paired with thoughtful songwriting, that makes Defects a noteworthy name among the pack rising UK metal bands.
What is out on #NewMusicFriday?
Bring Me The Horizon – POST HUMAN: NeX GEn
twenty one pilots – Clancy
Say Anything – …Is Committed
Capstan – The Mosaic
Defects – Modern Error
Softcult – Heaven
Lip Filler – witchescrew.net
Another Now – HEX
Billy Mahonie – Field Of Heads
Poolside At The Flamingo – Accabadora
Arriving Home – Hunters & Collector
Bug Seance – I’m Right Here
Single Wound – Death Is A Kindness
Fly Over States – Ghosts
Red Handed Denial – A Journey Through Virtual Dystopia
Wallows – Wallows
Ephemerist – The Lost Versus
Wiltwither – The Yellow Wallpaper
D-Mad Devil – Legacy Of The Devil
Seeress – Empathy
Salvage – Covenant
Cevret – Sensus
silverlake murder – Still Unknown
Glories – An Expanse Of Color
Chromarama – The Culmination Of Love Is Grief
BleakHeart – Silver Pulse
DIIV – Frogs In Boiling Water
Abrams – Blue City
If you think I’ve missed something or have a new album/EP/song to tell us about, tell us about it here.
If you’re looking for the latest tracks focusing on rock, punk, hardcore, metal, emo, and everything in between, then check out our ‘Newish Music’ playlist on Spotify or Apple Music.
