The Ghosts That I Fear of Vancouver’s dad thighs deserves so much more attention. Down below we tell you the reasons why. The new episode of Notes From A Smooth Talker also contains Juliane’s review about the German / Swedish collaboration between La Petite Mort / Little Death, Vivre Sa Vie and Young Mountain.

When it comes to emotional punk music it’s a convenient diversion to stumble upon something like The Ghosts That I Fear. The first album of Vancouver-based dad thighs sticks quite closely to the quintessence of the genre, without feeling like a cheap replicate of already existing works. Yet proved in the past with numbers like Left My Heart in Langley, the band once again showcases their ability to craft pure and sincere emo songs. Mastered at legendary Dead Air Studios in Massachusetts, the record starts with an anthology in the form of the binary epos, Going to the Dump to Watch the Bears. Both parts are beautifully arranged by the synergy of the group’s mathy instruments, caressing the vocals of lead singer Victoria. Every now and then the voice of guitarist Felix joins in, hereinafter leading to a breathtaking canon, where he finally confides “I can't say that I've never fantasized about my own funeral and who would be there“. The following tracks perfectly engage with each other, making The Ghosts That I Fear a coherent piece of art, temporarily culminating in My Favorite Valentine, a ballade sustained by smooth dual vocals, which flatter the listener’s ears. Characterized by a bright usage of all kinds of chants like spoken words during The Shadow that Desires is Left with Nothing but a Relic of Someone Else’s Dreams or rough, almost screamed vocals whilst The Rain it Raineth and Of Summer, the album’s composures are rich in variety, encircling the poetic lyrics. This record is a gem and it definitely deserves way more attention as it currently gets. So go and listen to The Ghosts That I Fear, spread the word and order a cassette from Damn Fine Tapes or Old Press Records.

“If this is love then we have learnt nothing, if this is love then where is life meant to lead us except in circles, and I'm pained and I'm dead and I'm going to bed with wide open eyes again.” [Going to the Dump to Watch the Bears Part I & II]

We recently presented the song “Windchime” from La Petite Mort/Little Death here and now it is time to say a few words about the 12” split it is part of. Five record labels have this three-way-split in their catalog: Miss The Stars (DE), Zilpzalp Records (DE), Hardcore For The Losers (AT), Pundonor Records (ES) and Voice Of The Unheard Records (FR). The record kicks off with two songs from Gothenburg based Young Mountain. They start out with the atmospheric post rock influenced “Pilträdsvillan” fitting in well with the Swedish lyrics. Apart from a short ‘wohoo’ singalong part, the fivepiece dispense from singing altogether, as it was found on their first releases. Instead, they use different shouting and screaming variations which I totally dig. Their second song then sews catchiness with melancholy showing this band’s process of growth and “Bloom”. Following is the skramz band Vivre Sa Vie hailing from Stockholm. This second release for Wiljami, Jóann, Tobias and Osborn covers elements they used on their previously released demo. The song “Ehler​-​Danlos” demonstrates their typical fast and hacking sounding staccato style. The second one, named “Shield”, uses various elements like calmer spoken word parts switching to intense screaming, expanding into chaos back and forth, but ends in a surprisingly calm guitar picking with a distorted female voice sequence. Last but not least, La Petite Mort/Little Death from Rodgau contribute three songs to the split. They remain true to the mathy, tuneful sound recorded on their debut LP “Dear Reader…”. The Intro, a short blast, blows up the energy giving a peek into what this threepiece is up to and capable of. Then “Windchime” starts off again with these short, throbbing melodies in repeat. The voice fits in with a rapping, terse tone, often slightly off-key, growing into somersaulting shouts. They close the split with a melodic beat, harmonica and singalongs on “This name rings a bell” making me grateful to see such thrilling bands working together.

“Breathe into the sky, through perilous clouds and towards a new tomorrow. I will be there for you always, even when crimson rain comes pouring down. I’ll be by your side, you will be safe and sound. Yes this is my love-letter to you. Cross my heart, hope to die, your gift keeps me alive. And if we’re drawn apart, it's only distance my dear. I’ll be back soon in your arms, you have nothing to fear.” [Distance]

Vivre Sa Vie is a Swedish emoviolence outfit, consisting of Wiljami, Johan, Tobias and Jacob. Their approach of punk music is passionate and very personal, transporting a strong and sincere message about ‘living and coming out as a transgender person…’ and their ‘personal angst that comes from not living by norms.’ The fourpiece from Stockholm absolutely convinces with heartfelt lyrics and their intense compositions. Time will tell if they could become something like a screamo version of Against Me. However, and this might be the most important thing, their music is going to help gender-non-conforming people within the punk community through their struggles in everyday life.

“I've got nothing left from the war. I stand infront of the mirror. She stares me right in the eyes. War against yourself. A battlefield. On your torso. Gunmen down your neck.”

A few months back we introduced you Drei Affen from Torrelavega, Spain. Following their demo, the emoviolence threepiece recently released their debut EP. This highly recommendable release contains six energetic tracks and other than Elsa and Eloy’s other project OsoLuna, the band pursues a more chaotic and skramzier approach for those tracks. Compared to the demo, you now get a well-produced Extended Play with decent sound quality and beautiful cover artwork. After its digital release, the selftitled EP will also be available on tape via Middleman Records as well as on vinyl. Limited to 500 copies the 12 inch record will be published by a potpourri of fantastic labels, indluding Dingleberry Records, Krimskramz, Pure Hearth Records, Rubaiyat Records and Zegema Beach.

“Intento atravesar los muros con la rabia de un tornado, por los que sufren sin voz grito, lloro, sufro, amo.”

One song each band, this is one of those splits which will hardly find its way on my turntable. I feel like, it is way too tedious to turn the record over and over again, though it’s nice to have it on my record shelf. The song contributed by Stockholm’s Det är därför vi bygger städer contains a strong amount of clean vocals, switching from mellow to angry - where the song hits its climax - and the other way around. An Apology by Coma Regalia, which can be found on the other side of the split, also includes clean vocals and convinces with a nice melody. Grab the record from Middle Man Records, Ödebygd Records, Through Love Records, Miss The Stars Records, Friendly Otter, Zegema Beach Records, Time As A Colour or Samegrey Records.

Let's end this episode with an appropriate release: High-pitched vocals, roaring guitars and a fair doze of chaos - Икар from Minsk, Belarus created a six song collection, which easily could be termed as close to perfection. Combining all makings of a fantastic screamo record, the EP starts with the furious Рождение трагедий (The birth of tragedy). An eclectic, well composed song, full of finesse and one of the most brilliant song endings I’ve heard in a while. Definitely a must listen for everyone who’s into screamo music.

“Как опадает сухая листва, устилаясь холмами повсюду, так опадем когда-то и мы, наблюдая за смертью друг друга.”