Short But Sweet, Polite And Respectful #46

Four fantastic releases to fight your post-fluff depression are discussed right below. Besides the almighty Fashion Statements of the Socially Aware, the hype album of the Californian sasscore group SeeYouSpaceCowboy, we also recommend the latest release by Commuovere as well as the amazing debuts of Go Hibiki and Disney 69.

With their unmistakable sound, the Californian sasscore collective, SeeYouSpaceCowboy, currently makes hearts leap, leading a reinvigorated movement, once initiated through bands like Seattle’s The Blood Brothers. The five-some around the Sgarbossa siblings evolve a charisma, as probably seen for the last time since straight edge outfit Have Heart in 2002. Of course, musically either of the bands can’t be even approximately compared, but the capability of both to attract hardcore enthusiasts with their music and their undeniable presence seems to be quite similar. While the band consider themselves as a metalcore band, fragments of their sound and the aesthetics hovering around them strongly reminds of 90s screamo. With Fashion Statements of the Socially Aware the band from San Diego delivers a milestone of a sub-genre, that seemed to be forgotten not long ago.

Recently returned home from their common US Tour with The Ultimate Screamo Band, it is time to examine Quebec-based screamo trio Commuovere and their latest Extended Play Du besoin de disparaître de soi, which was released earlier this year. The three songs, found on the record, are encircled by a claustrophobic atmosphere, whose crushing density unfolds right at the outburst of ’Consommer l’absence’. Subsequently, the one minute instrumental ’Dépersonnalisation / Déréalisation’ bridges to ’La dentition d’existe’, a high intensity song that - just like the opener - offers a gloomy setting, emphasizing the raw emotions in Marie’s vocals.

"May I go with you? May I just disappear?"

Vocalist Uhl’s raspy voice opens the quartet’s debut asking "What's worse? If the world's gonna end or that it never will?“ - a significant question and the start of one hell of a six-song-collection, which musically leaves nothing to be desired. There are just few bands who have the prominent ability to craft moving melodies, without losing any energy or being overly obtrusive. Missoula-based Go Hibiki is one of those groups. Rob Cave, Alasdair Lyon, Elizabeth Taillon-Rogosienski and Ethan J. Uhl are serving the right dose of melodious tunes, shedding a strong punk rock attitude, which infuses every second of In the Years Spent.

"I lick my wounds, like a dog in the cold I am looking for a reason to ache I bite my tongue, while the radio reminds me that Life is a Highway." [Alex Jones and Me]

Disney 69’s firstling is a strong contender for the best demo recording of the current year. Based in St. Louis, Missouri, the screamo duo wrote seven sincere songs, which might sound a bit rough around the edges, but at the same time, they presage the great potential of the talented band. The intimate lyrics, once written by the band’s former vocalist Sarah, now are passionately screamed by Dove, who - just like Jeff Smith of Jeromes Dream - doesn’t use a microphone for her vocals. This definitely adds up to the raw and intense experience you will get by listening to the demo. From the opener called Midland to the very last song, the album is packed with a classy, top-notch screamo sound.