Since emerging from their hometown of Kalamazoo, Michigan, saturdays at your place (sayp) have firmly positioned themselves as “ones to watch” in the midwestern emo scene. 2023 EP, ‘always cloudy’ built on what 2021’s debut full-length, ‘Something Worth Celebrating’ founded. In turn, it elevated their reputation due to the trio’s ability to blend midwestern emo tropes with melodic sensibilities. However, lyrically, it saw them seek out help with growing up. As they return with their second album, ‘These Things Happen,’ Esden Stafne (vocals/bass), Gabe Wood (vocals/drums), and Mitch Gulish (guitar) look to take ownership of their adulthood.
From the outset, they look to set a comfortable tone with the pairing of ‘Welcome’ and ‘cross my heart’. Light pianos segue into a rampant, bouncy blast of emo pop-punk. Stafne’s words of longing and regret exemplify what sayp are all about. Themes of mental health struggles, isolation, loss, and internal conflict are threaded throughout these ten tracks.
‘waste away’ maintains this tone through Stafne’s exhausted mindset, as he reaches a breaking point amidst dealing with depression. Alongside Gabe Wood, they provide a solid rhythm section while Gulish’s twiddly guitars tinker away in the verses. This emotional heaviness continues throughout the album, complementing their reliable emo sound.
The stripped-back and upbeat tone of ‘what am I supposed to do?’ is countered by the lyrical vulnerability, giving way to driving power chords as Stafne screams “Can’t we all just get along.” For the most part, sayp‘s sound could be considered breezy, firmly living in an assured space that is delivered with charm. Tracks such as ‘I’d rather be in michigan’ and ‘forest bubbles’ showcase a raw, lo-fi sound that, at times, is blissful in its execution. Yet the album’s emotional range becomes most evident in its hopeful moments.
The late album highlight, ‘stay’ thrives with its upbeat energy. It leans into the hint of hope that seeps through. Although Stafne admits to “not getting any better,” he pleads to resolve a failing relationship. Similarly, ‘strawberry’ brings some optimism to the table as Esden finds comfort in companionship, with soothing “oohs”s and “ahhhs”s elevating its lighter tone. It’s a credit to the trio for writing a set of songs that feel honest and relatable. At times, the delivery can be diaristic (‘loon mobile pt. 3’) and at others they’re compelling storytellers (‘i give in’).
Overall, they don’t offer easy answers, yet ‘These Things Happen’ is a palatable set of emo tracks. saturdays at your place excel at pairing comforting relatability with pleasing melodic flair. In equal measure, this creates something both cathartic and introspective that enables the trio to grow organically. Even while still navigating adulthood themselves, ‘These Things Happen’ documents a band coming to grips with life’s challenges in an accessible and honest manner.
‘These Things Happen’ by saturdays at your place is released on September 12th.
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