Seek Harbour - Far From Home - EP Review

Seek Harbour - Far From Home - Independent

Track List:

1. Dagger Like Eyes

2. Wolves

3. Far From Home

4. TY (FBMH)

One of my favorite parts of being an independent music outlet is finding and being introduced to new bands in the scene. I'm sure many think that with the internet, how could you not easily find every band that makes music you like? But it happens, and sometimes it happens because there are separate scenes in other countries. That's where Seek Harbour comes in. Seek Harbour will release the entirety of their debut EP, 'Far From Home,' independently on Friday, April 8th.

Seek Harbour are a post-hardcore band from Kent, located in the UK. But it's probably a little too easy to say they're "post-hardcore," as Seek Harbour adds a few genres to the mix, including some pop-punk sensibilities and hardcore-style screamed vocals in their dual-vocalist band. Nevertheless, it's a fascinating and exciting combination, primarily because the band has a sturdy melodic post-hardcore backbone.

The band has been releasing tracks from the debut 'Far From Home' EP since 2021 but will culminate with the emotional finale 'TY (FBMH),' which I believe stands for "Thank You (For Bringing Me Here)" on Friday. The song is very melodic and especially catchy in nature. The screams (or uncleans) are minimal, but the passion is still at the forefront. This is often the way Seek Harbour handles the song structures in 'Far From Home.' The instrumentation is often very clean. The singing and screaming switches are placed up front in the mix. Thankfully, they are not muddled in the production, which can often be the case in these genres.

Throughout the EP, Seek Harbour creates an intoxicating atmosphere that drives anticipation for what's coming next. The mix between singing and screaming is varied and keeps the listener's interest without becoming stagnant. The instrumentation follows precisely as needed by complimenting the atmosphere and adding the appropriate flair. For a debut EP, 'Far From Home' certainly doesn't show it.

Even though the debut EP is relatively short. At four tracks totaling nearly fourteen minutes, Seek Harbour has made a cohesive EP saturated with so much passion and emotion that repeat listens aren't just demanded; they're needed. So make sure 'Far From Home' and Seek Harbour are on your radar this Friday and in the future.

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Capstan - Separate - Album Review

Capstan - Separate - Fearless Records

Track List:

1. pretext

2. shades of us

3. take my breath away noose

4. alone (feat. shane told)

5. blurred around the edges (feat. saxl rose)

6. tongue-biter

7. abandon

8. shattered glass

9. sway (feat. charlene joan)

10. decline

When I look at the scene's landscape, especially in the category of post-hardcore bands, Capstan is still a relative mystery. And they're a mystery in a couple of ways. First, they've been making progressive post-hardcore for a while now, but they're still able to mix up their sound and keep you on your toes. Second, even though they're on a famous scene label, perhaps the most popular, at this time, they're still seemingly separate from the pack.

Perhaps, that's partly where the title of their sophomore full-length album title 'Separate' comes from. If so, it shows a band capable of deeper insight and self-awareness than many in a similar position. However, with 'Separate,' Capstan is in a challenging situation. Do they continue where EPs and their last full length (‘Restless Heart, Keep Running’) left off, championing melodic post-hardcore? Or do they add in some other popular genres and follow some of the current trends? The lure of that balance can be treacherous and has led many bands to tip the scale in sometimes unfavorable directions.

After listening to 'Separate,' though, Capstan has skillfully navigated those perils and come out the other side with another excellent addition to their discography. It has everything you want from the band, progressive and technical instrumentation, passionate screams, melodic singing, and great storytelling. But, they also stepped out of their comfort zone with a few tracks on 'Separate.' 'take my breath away noose' may be their most giant leap so far. The track sounds momentarily out of place, with a jazzy hook and pop feel. But instead of going full trend, the technical instrumentation is still there. It shows that the band has a ton of range available (and probably even more still to come).

But that isn't all. The choices to "separate" themselves from the pack can be heard in tracks like 'alone,' where the heaviness in the track is balanced throughout with a very catchy chorus. Still, when a clear opportunity for a "standard" breakdown appears, Capstan changes their sound up and falls into a beat instead. It'll be interesting to see how that track is played live, for sure. The band features a few artists as well to mix things up. First, Shane from Silverstein makes an appearance in the before-mentioned track. Later, Saxl Rose and Charlene Joan add their unique touch to their songs, differentiating and diversifying styles. All bringing something more to 'Separate.'

The point of music isn't to only find something "new" and latch on because it's...well, "new". But, when a band adds more dimensions to their sound and does it well, THAT'S when it's worth paying attention to. Capstan has continued to evolve as that band. They've always had a niche sound, but one that can consistently be expanded upon. The "heavy" is there. The melody is there. Every member is highly talented in their place in the band. Each has many moments to shine in 'Separate.' Capstan is a band that consistently impresses, and 'Separate' is another culmination of that talent that people should be paying attention to.

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Wither Away - I Won't Find Hope In You - Album Review

Wither Away - I Won’t Find Hope In You - Independent

Track List:

1. April (Spring Is Coming)

2. Kagune (Ruin Me)

3. Shadow Form

4. I Won’t Find Hope In You (Feat. Ricky Armellino of HAWK) - Single

5. The Town Where Only I Am Missing

6. Persona (Feat. Hotel Books)

7. Dark Room

8. Cherish Your Friends - Single

9. Stigmatized

10. Your Name.

After four years, Reading PA's Wither Away has returned with an ambitious follow-up to their debut EP. This time, they demand to be heard, and I recommend you listen. 

Right away, an interesting note when it comes to the visual representation of Wither Away, in most cases since the start of the band, a pagoda has been a strong structure utilized in their first singles to their debut EP 'The Words We Live By, The Actions We Don't Take.' But now, on the cover of 'I Won't Find Hope In You,' the pagoda is set ablaze. Is it now a symbol of the desecration of inner peace, the destruction of what we believe is valuable in this world, or destroying that part of you that was holding you back? 

It's challenging to put Wither Away into a musical category because they utilize multiple genres very well. At times, there are flashes of an emo-rock band, melodic post-hardcore, or even alternative rock. But what does it all really mean? Really, it means they're comfortable making whatever music they want, and it shows in IWFHIY. From the instrumentation moving from melodic to aggressive to the clean (singing) vocals to out of nowhere uncleans (screams), Wither Away keeps you on your toes and, more importantly, keeps your attention. JJ's vocals are strong while showing weakness in the storyline while weaving multiple vocal disciplines into a cohesive story. The instrumentation is dynamic, drives when needed, and creates an atmosphere integral to making that comprehension through the album.

Tracks range from discussions, almost conversations asking questions of depression, religion, and does belonging even exist? The fourth wall is even broken in the track 'I Won't Find Hope In You' as you're told, "I wish that I was only writing lyrics when I said that I don't like having fun. Depressed but now I see there's beauty in this melody". I recommend listening to the album while reading the lyrics to capture any nuances that may have been missed.

In the track' Stigmatized,' JJ repeats lines towards the end of the track with the solo backing of guitar-only in a melodic fashion. More instruments join in, and JJ's vocals become more pleading and emotional. He screams, "You're dead to me," his last line and almost every other band would kick everything into high gear to either restart the chorus or get one more semi-breakdown squeezed in, but Wither Away doesn't, and instead, play out more melodically and calm. That's confidence in one's musical direction. 

That's one of the keys to IWFHIY, confidence. In every facet, Wither Away has made an engrossing album built like the pagoda with confidence. Confidence in their musical ability to draw you in, keep you on your toes, create an atmosphere, and tell a compelling story.

Not only did Ricky Armellino (HAWK, Ice Nine Kills) mix and produce the album (a fantastic job of keeping tone and ambiance), but he also added his featuring abilities, as did Hotel Books. Both features add an extra layer to the dynamics of IWFHIY and fit in nicely. The only things that ever felt out of place were small autotuned pop flourishes in the final track 'Your Name.'. It's nothing that would ruin the track; it just feels out of place with the tone of the rest of the album.

I have been a fan of Wither Away since their debut EP, but they added another dimension to their abilities with 'I Won't Find Hope In You.' The album's flow is precise, layered, and the balance of singing and screaming is unrivaled. You'll never feel like you're worn out or following the same template set by others. The band has genuinely made something personal of their own and shared it with an audience.

Wither Away has done anything but, with their new full-length release, 'I Won't Find Hope In You.' Make sure you listen and support them. 

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Softspoken - Where The Heart Belongs - EP Review

Softspoken - Where the Heart Belongs - EP - Independent

Track List:

1. Sleight of Hand

2. Bones

3. Where the Heart Belongs (featuring Alexia Rodriguez of Eyes Set To Kill)

4. Realign

5. The Road

One of the scene's current trends is for bands to go in a more "pop" direction by taking out or reducing unclean/screaming vocals or adding electronics. One band shaking that notion and forging their path is the band Softspoken out of Kentucky. With their new EP 'Where the Heart Belongs,' Softspoken joins a much smaller group of bands that have added a sense of aggression to their already melodic post-hardcore sound.

Softspoken has always had the melodic part of their post-hardcore style down with previous releases' Pathways' and 'Deaf Perception.' 'Where the Heart Belongs' is no different in that aspect. 'Sleight of Hand' was the first single released back in 2020, and right from the downbeat, you might think you're in for something different. By the second verse, the unclean (screaming) vocals rip through, and you KNOW this is going to be something different from previous iterations. The back and forth between unclean and clean (singing) vocals are balanced very well, and nothing comes off as overwhelming or cliche. 

The EP continues this tradition with some semi-progressive instrumentation, fun riffs, and passionate vocals. From the beginning, Softspoken creates an atmosphere of anticipation that compels you to continue listening all the way through while finding even more moments of connection. There are plenty of times where you'll find yourself singing along with the thoughtful and catchy lyrics and then simultaneously bobbing your head to a catchy beat or banging your head to a drop/breakdown. It's a collection of music that demands multiple listens to pick up on everything you may miss the first time around.

In another unique move in the scene, Softspoken has made the EP available for purchase now while releasing tracks monthly to streaming sites. It's a novel idea, especially since bands' direction seems to focus on only single releases without an EP or album follow-up. It allows fans to support Softspoken and enjoy the entire EP's story or wait for the releases over time. 

For anyone missing the early incarnation of the 'Slaves' sound, Softspoken continues the tradition of passionate and melodic post-hardcore while making it their own. Front to back, 'Where the Heart Belongs' showcases Softspoken's range. Even though the band has released two full-length albums previously, this third release shows that "maturity" doesn't have to mean "stale." There are so much talent and potential in Softspoken, and it's exciting to imagine what could come next. Keep your ears open because you won't want to miss it.

Website (Pick up ‘Where the Heart Belongs’)

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