SCREAMO SUNDAY with Margot
This is genuinely one of the most impressive bands I’ve ever heard or seen. Bloomington, Indiana’s own Inward Heal is like a breath of fresh air for diy fans. This explosive first release shows the already inherent talent these dudes hold.
Some of the most intricate and thoughtful guitar leads, the punchy rhythm sections, the loose and fast, but polished drums crashing. Conversations is something I imagine anyone with a knack for the scene can enjoy.
“There’s better things I can do than argue for decency. I guess there’s no getting through your ironclad self esteem.”, is one of my favorite lines on the full project, off of the first track, “Intro”. It arguably may be one of my favorite lines for the genre, maybe even in the grand scope of music.
I was lucky enough to watch these guys a good amount of times through the past couple of years and it has been a joy to do so. For anyone who is a fan of basement shows, Guitar Fight From Fooly Cooly, or evenings in with your cat, give Inward Heal a shot. I promise you won’t regret it.
Becoming a recent fan of awakebutstillinbed has been an awesome experience, especially going back on their past albums. Visceral, well thought out, and perfectly executed are some of the best ways I can describe the bands writing style along with Shannon’s intricate lyricism.
Learning about them this year showed me a lot of interest I was unbeknownst to. To my recollective surprise, they dropped a song earlier this year in a split featuring a lot of my other favorite bands like Aren’t We Amphibians and Your Arms Are My Cocoon. This four way split highlights each act in its own individual spotlight, but today I’d like to speak on specifically awakebutstillinbed’s contribution.
Sovereign, while short and sweet, achieves exactly what it needs to. Punchy chords hit you right in the face as soon as the drumstick countdown throws you in. Contrary to usual style expressed by the band, this song is fast, loud, and a more classic example of what comes to mind when people mention the term, “Screamo”.
Shannon turns the volume up with her belting screams, the drums leave zero room for absence of noise, and it’s all very full and honestly gets you moving no matter what mood you find yourself in. One thing I’ve always appreciated about this band is how tasteful the bass lines are- awakebutstillinbed is never afraid of groove and god that is something special.
This is a high recommendation for anyone new to the genre or those close to it. My most defiant description of this cut is nothing short of ear candy, and I think that’s a perfect way to leave it.
With the good times that come, they will always have to pass. The unfortunate disbandment of Tulsa superstars, The Others Like Us, does come with a lot of sadness and acceptance. That being said before they decided to go out, they let us have one last taste of their efforts. “All You Have Left”, releasing in May earlier this year, is what I would describe as a perfect footnote in this band’s legacy.
Four full tracks, with little room to leave you wanting more, The Others Like Us lay it all out on the table as if to say, “Here you go, this is what we’ve got before we head out.”, and they deliver to its fullest degree. The progression and ability between projects is uncanny. Sam’s screams are full and with guttural feeling. The guitar riffs are chuggy, atmospheric, and artful.
The overall standard of tone seems to be Sam calling out one last time before the experience is over. “Is this something? Am I nothing? Just let me know.”, they say in the second track. It talks a lot of self questioning and anxieties about change. Is it scary knowing you’re all you have left moving forward? Is it freeing? Is it horrifying but gratifying? This is what Sam seems to be calling out, and I for one, can share sympathy in and about the chaos.
The Others Like Us will always be a special band to me, they’ve been there for me in what seemed like the hole I dug myself, and I think they can provide the same comfort for a lot of others. I absolutely adore this project and implore anyone with an open heart to give it a try. Bonus points to the band for including an Adventure Time sample, that’s just easy pickens.
I’ve had the pleasure of seeing widaparte play a couple of times alongside the previously mentioned Inward Heal in Bloomington. These Paducah hard hitters know how to put the noise at the forefront and the energy into every note crashing out. Their performances live and recorded are pure electricity and chock full of body vibrating distortion.
It is abrasive and belligerent. It’s insanity being contained by the four people playing it for you. No bounds, no excuses, widaparte are putting the power into emoviolence. This EP, being their first release, highlights exactly what I am detailing to you here.
“this town is a lamentable shipwreck, this life too”, is a visceral, four track, 10 minute slam fest. Brutality coming to you at every angle from the panic chords shrieking out, to the metal-like deep screaming on tracks like ,”kuttawa”. This is what I imagine to be perfect pump up music for any situation. It kicks you in the chest the entire way through and makes you feel like doing the exact same.
I recommend this EP to anyone who is a fan of emoviolence/emotional hardcore. You can hear the influence coming from the group, but it’s got the shiniest coat of new paint on it. Proving their appeal already, they just took a fill in spot at the most recent Dilly Dally Fest and garnered a lot of new attention and acclaim. I think when people ask about line ups for things like New Friends Fest in a couple of years, widaparte will be a no question pick for the list.
Being a fan of this genre, you will pick up over time that the screamo scene is alive and well in California. There are so many examples you could pull that have come out in more recent years. I’ve spent a lot of time engrossing myself specifically in the California area, and it’s safe to say my downright favorite is Othiel.
Their catalogue before their newest album really took me in and by surprise. What Othiel adds to the scene and genre for me is genuine uniqueness. I wholeheartedly feel that no one is doing it like this band and they will be a prominent outlier in the grand scope of the genre moving forward.
“WORLDS FASTEST CAR”, only cements my words prior. This new release put me in a dead stop the first time I heard it, so much so that I had to pause and take a minute. This album is polished top to bottom, you can hear how much care and time went into the full process. Seven songs that seem to flow into each other precisely and with concept, it’s not hard to see the full idea listening to it.
This project is twenty-four minutes of breakdowns, intensity, and one of the most impressive vocal performances I have ever heard. I love the approach and use of pedals throughout each song. It provides a lot of atmosphere and dissonance that makes the songs feel heavier and lighter when necessary.
“WORLDS FASTEST CAR” will absolutely be showing up on my top five of the entire year. I think anyone with a knack for well curated screamo with a forward thinking attitude and artful execution is sure to be a fan of this band and this album especially. That being said ,“WALK THROUGH WALLS”, goes nasty stupid in the best way possible and you can quote me.