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Waterparks defy genre and religious trauma on new album
If you think the band has done it all, just you wait for what Waterparks have in-store on their newest release.
Waterparks are back with their fifth studio album INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY, the follow-up to their 2021 album Greatest Hits. Just like previous albums, the group does not hold back. From start to finish, this album will have your ears peeled and listening to what extra sounds, affects, and hidden moments within the tracks. The more you listen, the more you are able to pick up on and add to the listening experience.
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY centers heavily around the theme of religious guilt and how it has affected the way he lives his life. It ranges from sexual guilt, to mental health, to just living everyday life. This album was a way to grow past the guilty feelings and defy the things that many may have been taught growing up. This idea of religious guilt is why many of the songs on the album have hypersexual undertones and themes. In an Instagram post on the Waterparks account, Knight explains the message behind the album and artwork.
This album features roaring guitars, pounding drums, a plethora of electronic effects, playing with vocals and the music itself cannot be classified in one genre. It takes rock, pop, dance, and everything else you can imagine and throws it into the album. But the way it is arranged, produced and presented works, which is not new to the group. Every album they push the boundaries and experiment and release music that provides variety sonically and is genre bending, and make it work.
Each track has many layers to it. Vocals are manipulated to be higher, lower, warped and more. Elements like background sounds, electronic drums, taking just sounds that Knight makes or you find in everyday life and manipulating them to create some cool and unique electronic beat or sound that transforms the song. The band even uses the voice of Kurtis Conner on the closing of “END OF THE WATER (FEEL).” The more you listen to and dissect the songs, the more you find. A single listen will not do the songs justice.
Like most Waterparks albums, Awsten Knight is not subtle in his lyric writing. When you listen to a song, you know exactly what message he is trying to convey. With lines like “I know your dying wish is to be baptized in my spit”, Knight is not afraid to be blunt in his lyric writing. With songs like “FUCK ABOUT IT” featuring Blackbear discussing a relationship where sex is used as a way to avoid confrontation and “Self-Sabotage” talking about purposefully ruining a relationship on purpose due to your insecurities.
Throughout the album those themes are executed in ways are times are in your face and maybe in more subtle ways, with “RITUAL” opening with an audio clip talking about sex before marriage. The opening track “ST*RFUCKER” contains the line “Jesus Christ, don’t text me back,” tying back to the religious themes of the album. The song “BRAINWASHED” has more straightforward lines pointing towards the hypersexual themes but can be inferred that Knight is dealing with guilt for feelings he is experiencing as heard on lines “What if I pray? Hoping you’ll stay into the daylight/Wait, what am I saying? I feel insane/It’s only been a couple days,” Knight references praying for what he wants and also talks about how the way he is feeling and talking is unfamiliar to him and almost feels wrong. Lyrically and sonically these tracks are different but are connected in a way that helps develop the story of the album, allowing for a smooth listening experience.
While this album tells the cohesive story and theme, not every song sounds the same. That may sound confusing, but that speaks to production and album creation of the group. They were able to provide a variety of song styles, while still making the album. The album is also one of their shorter releases with only 11 songs and coming in at just over 31 minutes. However, you do feel like you have heard a complete story in a short amount of time. The group brings a sonically diverse set of songs that showcase the groups abilities vocally, instrumentally, lyrically, production wise and just over how they have evolved as a group. This album demonstrates how the group has grown more comfortable but also how they can still continue to push themselves.
You will also find tracks like “2 BEST FRIENDS” that have more light, playful sounding songs with some more typical pop elements, being balanced out with lyrics that when analyzed, are definitely not happy. “2 BEST FRIENDS” is about trying to go out to forget about someone and failing. The instrumental being composed of repetitive guitar riffs and drums gives the dancey feel to balance out the heavy lyrics. The lyrical content is what ties the song to the rest of the album, once again proving that while not obvious at first, every song on the album serves a purpose. Even if the sound is different from the other tracks, it is not a random addition.
“RITUAL” is the heaviest track on the album. Knight shows off his fast-paced rap style vocal that is a staple of Waterparks tracks, and the drums on the tracks create a feeling like you are running. It is a constant pounding underneath everything else that is going on, creating a feeling of urgency, almost imitating the feeling of your mind racing. The vocals contrast with high-pitched singing in the chorus and then later on it goes into scream like heavy vocals. Throw in some lines in deeper vocals like “like a ritual” and you have a stand out Waterparks track. Again, no other song on the album sounds like it, but it still works in the context of the album as a whole.
While there is not necessarily a slow or acoustic song on the album, the song “CLOSER” is probably the closest thing to it. This song is more toned down than some of the others. Still has many elements that make the song feel fuller. The opening of the track is an acoustic guitar but has layers of sound that sound almost choral, piano and overall angelic feeling. This song is not full of extra beats, lots of sound effects, bits of talking or electronic effects. It is more focused on the vocals and instrumentals, but still creating the atmospheric world that is created throughout the album. The vocals on the track bring out the emotion behind the lyrics. Knight has almost a pleading sound in his vocal delivery, while the lyric style almost sounds like he is giving a speech. With the closing of the sound having less instrumental, it is tamed down, bringing out the emotion.
The production on the album is what ties it all together. Everything mixes well, the layering of instrumentals, vocals, background effects, electronic elements, everything feels like it belongs and makes each track feel complete. Even when there is a lot happening on the track and it may feel overwhelming, it is done in a way that creates the atmosphere on the track, and elevates the listening experience. This can be seen on the closing track “A NIGHT OUT ON EARTH.” This track takes everything from the entire album and summarizes it into one track. It talks about fame, mental health, and overall what it is like to live in the world today. Mix the relatable, straightforward and heavy lyrics with electronic effects, groovy instrumental moments, warped vocals, and guitar solo with heavy drums at the end and you have one of my favorite closing tracks. Your ears are full of sound and transported into the world of the song. If you need to know what the album is like in one song, this is it.
From start to finish, INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY sounds cohesive while also allowing each song to have its own unique sound and story to tell to complete the full story of the album. Once again, Waterparks demonstrate that they are not afraid to push boundaries. They are not able to be put into a category and will continue to surprise their listeners.
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY was released on April 14 and can be streamed on all major streaming platforms.
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OnlyOneOf entices and excites Park West
The line outside Park West was separated into four tiers, but they all had one thing in common: LyOns left the cubs at home for this concert.
LyOns waiting outside Park West (Source) The four tiers – VVIP, VIP, T3 and T4 – denoted not only extra perks, but also access to the venue. The two VIP tiers were treated to a hi-touch with the group as well as a group photo, the top two tiers only separated by a fan sign held hours before the event. Some fans walked up and down the line to hand out freebies: pictures of the members, homemade beaded bracelets and pride flags of every color passed out to a line that stretched down the block and around the building. There was no difference between waiting to meet the group or waiting for a spot at the back of the balcony. LyOns were just excited to see their favorite K-pop group perform.
And perform OnlyOneOf did: from the beginning of “seOul drift,” the crowd roared from tops of their lungs. With chocolate-colored leather outfits and fire in their eyes, the K-pop band exploded onto the stage with unfettered determination. They performed as if it could be their last show ever, despite a minimum of eight cities left to visit. “Gaslighting” was another standout, with a sinister beat and sexually-charged choreography fans lost themselves in with every synchronized chest pop.
One of the best performances of the night came from KB, whose performance of his solo track “be free” showcased way more than his impressive physique. The guitar line bounces and flows with the husky silk of his voice singing seductive lyrics like “oh my god, your smell” and “I just want to taste your lips.” Highlighted by a charming dance number with Yoojung, whose solo song “begin” ties in with KB’s sunshine in a bottle performance showcased a level of class of and showmanship more evocative of a classic entertainer than an idol.
Nine displayed a sensual solo performance with his song “beyOnd.” If the performance wasn’t already hypnotizing due to his smoky voice and Hershey bar abs, bringing Mill onstage for some incredibly suggestive floor work undoubtedly left the front row in shambles. Both solo performances incorporated the rest of the members as de facto backup dancers as a delightful way to keep the entire group onstage while featuring the members’ solo tracks from the undergrOund idOl singles.
A very close second for the best performance of the night was “skinz.” The direct successor to “libidO,” “skinz” is a plea for honesty and vulnerability steeped in desire. With production, it’s an ear worm. I’m also a sucker for any choreography that includes Mill jumping over other members.
Undoubtedly, the show-stopper was always going to be their breakout 2021 track “libidO,” a dark anthem to unapologetic sexuality with a mysterious and forbidden vibe. Even if you don’t speak Korean, it’s effortless to understand when the band prowls towards the crowd on their hands and knees or sing lines in English like “want you to sing on my body” and “leave it to libido.” The Korean lyrics are even more explicit, some translating to “your teeth it’s like a fantasy” and “when I see you I can’t breathe, my pupils expand.” Even with the tight production and slick vocals, the song maintains a rawness that allows “libidO” to maintain a dangerous edge.
When they returned to the stage for their encore, they were much more casually dressed. Donning tour t-shirts and jeans, they surprised fans by ending the show with “blOssOm” instead of “a sOng Of ice and fire.” Not that is was an unwelcome change as a bright song explicitly for and about LyOns. After a snapshot session with the members, fans waited outside the venue to see OnlyOneOf off in their tour bus. Even then, interactions with the group were as genuine through tinted windows as they were in the venue.
These “Pick-a-Pose Snapshot” tickets were exchanged for Polaroids with fans’ chosen member(s) As they drove away from Park West, I couldn’t imagine a better ending to the evening.
The remaining dates for OnlyOneOf’s Grand America World Tour can be found here. All photos have been taken by Penny Rae Hawkins and edited by Jonathan Knoell unless otherwise noted.
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Strange Aeons dissects My Chemical Romance’s reunion tour, eviscerates nostalgia culture in new video
Nostalgia works hard, but My Chemical Romance works harder.
On March 31, the YouTube channel Strange Aeons posted a video titled “A Deep Dive Into the Return of My Chemical Romance.” In a cool 59 minutes and 30 seconds, channel runner Teya unpacks the ideology and symbolism presented in the band’s wardrobe of their 72-show global reunion tour. Citing Tumblr user jetstar, Teya described MCR fans following this tour on sites like Tumblr and Twitter as “sports but for gay people” due to the band’s long-standing relationship with the queer community.
For fans, arguably the most key part of following this tour has been cataloguing frontman Gerard Ways’ eclectic collection of stage outfits. Tragic or controversial women in history were a common theme Teya pointed out, with Way making visual references to figures ranging from Princess Diana to Joan of Arc and even court outfits worn by female followers of Charles Manson.
The late Princess Diana seemed to be the muse for Los Angeles on October 14, 2022 (Source) Critiques of the military were another common theme, with Army green and even hot pants suspected to be military silkies, making repeated appearances. These are similarly not uncommon, with the band making anti-war statements in the past, including theming the music video for “The Ghost of You” after the 1998 film Saving Private Ryan.
One of Way’s most unique outfits was worn on May 19 in Milton Keynes. Dubbed “Metaman,” Way wore an all-white suit covered in fake blood with the Meta logo drawn on his forehead, which was covered by a white mask. The look was interpreted to represent the single artwork for “I’m Not Okay (I Promise),” but it was also interpreted to represent something more anti-capitalist.
“It is pretty blatant to splatter yourself in blood and write a company’s logo on your face,” Teya said.
“We deserve to live in a real world with real people and real faces,” Way said. “We don’t want your metaverse.” As with any tour, the stage dressing was designed to . MCR changed the drum heads on tour nightly and tied them directly to Way’s stage outfits. In Tacoma, Wa. on October 3, the drum head read “I want to see you turn into a werewolf” while Way donned a Twilight Team Edward t-shirt. The Twilight shirt is interpreted as a specific reference to that time they were asked to contribute a song to the Twilight: New Moon soundtrack, later inspiring the track “Vampire Money” from their 2011 album Danger Days: The True Lives of the Fabulous Killjoys.
“Their variety of creatures and vampires did not really align with Twilight’s,” Teya said. “Doing something for Twilight wasn’t really authentic to who they were, wasn’t really what they wanted to do. They were offered exorbitant amounts of money and they still refused to sell out.”
When Way dressed in an office worker uniform on March 14 in Brisbane, the drum head read, “Here comes the airplane.” Teya theorized this was a reference to Way witnessing 9/11.
“In 2001, he was an intern at Cartoon Network living in New York City,” she said. “He said in a 2013 interview, ‘I did see the buildings go down, from I’d say fairly close. It was like being in a science fiction film or some kind of disaster film. You didn’t believe it. You felt like you were in Independence Day. It made no sense. Your brain couldn’t process it.”
One of the most impactful moments of the video came when Teya dissected MCR’s performance at the 2022 When We Were Young festival. Dressed in their Three Cheers for Sweet Revenge uniforms with old-age SFX makeup, the band only performed the hits without any new material, b-sides or fan favorites. This was the only time they recreated an iconic look or excluded lesser-known songs, as well as their 2022 single “The Foundations of Decay,” from their set list.
From left: Gerard Way, Frank Iero, Ray Toro “It’s like, ‘this is what we could be doing for decades,’” Teya said. “We could be elderly, watching elderly MCR dress up in their old clothes and play their old songs, and is that what any of us want to be doing: with the glory days of youth behind us, basically admitting that we’re already dead?”
She continued to praise the band for their commitment to healing, as well as their refusal to make their views on the festival unknown or easy to digest.
“It’s so good,” she said. “It’s so uncanny. It’s the way that it forces the audience to look at themselves. It refuses to be comforting and nostalgic and goes for your fucking throats.”
She goes on to explain the significance of bassist Mikey Way being the only one not in uniform or makeup. This is possibly due to his death in the “Ghost of You” music video, after which he is interpreted by some to have become a vampire. If not a direct callback to that music video, it’s certainly a stark reminder of the possibility of a much darker timeline.
Photo Credit: Matthew Oliver (source) “I think it must have been important to them to play this show and then to pull this stunt critiquing the premise of the entire festival,” Teya said. “Because, to them and a lot of others, holding up that era in their lives and their work is – it’s insulting because, honestly, that era was not ideal. That’s clearest I think when we look at Mikey, who’s been open about his life-threatening struggles with addiction and mental health and how these things were exacerbated by a lot of what happened in the early years of MCR. [sic]
I believe Mikey is sober now and is recovered, but there’s a timeline where the band didn’t end MCR in 2014 because they needed to. Because it was bad for them, because it was something that was comfortable and profitable and maybe Mikey didn’t recover in that timeline. [sic] Of course they’d passionately have a problem with a nostalgia-based concert, because they were kind of miserable and their lives were messy back then, and they were heavily commodified by a subculture that wasn’t always kind to them.”
Teya noted MCR was not the only band to bring up issues with the festival. During Paramore’s set, frontwoman Hayley Williams similarly looked back at the early-2000’s emo scene.
“The scene was not always a safe place to be if you were different,” Williams said. “If you were a young woman, if you were a person of color, if you were queer, and that’s really fucked up when you think about it because this was supposed to be the safe place.”
My Chemical Romance closed their set with “Vampire Money,” spreading thousand-dollar bills with vampires on them throughout the crowd. Beyond the apparent protest against the festival, the performance seemed to encapsulate one message throughout the entire tour:
“MCR wants us to know that they are happy and healthy now, and still capable of creating excellent art.”
The band’s reunion tour wrapped up on March 26 in Osaka, Japan. What’s your favorite reunion tour look? Check out the full video below!
All photos used are screenshots from the video unless otherwise stated.
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Magnolia Park bring high energy headlining tour to Lakewood, OH
The room is packed wall to wall: people crowd near the front of the stage and cover the side risers and filter towards the back of the room. They file in from the bar and outside, getting their tickets checked and receiving their wristbands. The show is sold out and the amount of energy that radiates from the crowd emphasizes it. People push through the crowd to try and find a spot in the crowd.
The first band of the night is getting ready to take the stage and the excitement is growing. The room is dark, lights shine on the set stage, ready for the show to begin.
On March 21, pop punk band Magnolia Park brought their headlining Baku’s Revenge Tour to Mahall’s in Lakewood, OH. The tour is in support of their album Baku’s Revenge released in November 2022. Supporting the band on this tour is First And Forever, Poptropicaslutz, and Arrows In Action.
First and Forever First up for the night is First And Forever. This emo and rock inspired band was a stand out performance of the night. From their original songs, to their “I’m Not Okay (I Promise)” by My Chemical Romance cover to their overall stage presence, everything worked together to capture the crowd and get everyone ready for the night ahead. The lead singer Alex Ryan brought the songs to life, climbing parts of the stage to sing for an extra level of performance. Towards the end of the set, he joined the mosh pit to close out a song. This band was the perfect way to start the night. Their harder, rock, emo sound brought the energy up and their set was a go from the start. The theatrics, strong vocals, killer instrumentals and just overall stage presence was perfection. It is a band to watch, and definitely gained fans after their set.
Poptropicaslutz Next up was Poptropicaslutz. This group is a newer one on the scene and takes elements of hip hop, electronic, and pop punk and mixes it all into one. Their set was not over the top, but still brought the energy up in the crowd. They had people jumping around during their sets, arms moving, and overall held the attention of the crowd. They did a good job of using the stage and hitting each part of the crowd. It was a good contrast to the other acts of the night. They had the pop punk and rock elements, but had the electronic and hip hop sound to add an extra level. They are definitely an act to watch.
Arrows in Action The last opening act was Arrows In Action. This band has been gaining a following so much of the crowd were familiar and were fans of this group. They are a fun group to watch on stage for sure. They look like they are having a great time and enjoying what they are doing. Mixing that with sounding great as a live band, created a killer opening act. This three piece brings a pop punk sound with a twist, creating a different sound then the other acts. They have played this venue before, and it showed. They sounded great and owned the stage. At one point the lead singer of Magnolia Park, Joshua Roberts, joined the group on stage to sing their new song “The Credits” which features Magnolia Park and the band Loveless. When bands on a tour collaborate on stage, it is always a fan favorite moment.
By the time Arrows In Action took the stage the crowd was excited. You could feel the ground moving when everyone would jump, people were clapping, screaming the lyrics, and just living in the moment. The band was getting the crowd involved, joking around and just enjoying themselves. Ending the set with “Uncomfortably Numb”, the energy was high and everyone was ready for the main act of the night.
Magnolia Park Then it was time for the main act of the night: Magnolia Park. From the minute the band took the stage, the crowd was ready for the night of their lives. The pit opened and mosh pits were full blown. Everyone was ready to let loose and enjoy the night. The energy was reciprocated by the band. They were ready to put on a great show, feeding off the energy from the crowd for sure.
One of the best nights of the night was the crowd doing the “O-H-I-O” chant after one of the songs and catching the band off guard for a second. Someone in the crowd started the iconic chant and the crowd was quick to follow. If you are from Ohio, you know the chant. It is almost a law that if someone says “OH,” it must be followed by “IO.” It gives cult vibes, but it is an Ohio tradition.
The band opened with “Feel Something” off Baku’s Revenge. Other songs played off the new album “Addison Rae,” “Misfits,” and “Radio Reject,” among others. Each song flowed perfectly into the next, taking breaks to interact with the crowd and joke around. They knew how to get the crowd moving: encouraging opening up the pit, clapping hands, hands waving in the air, jumping around to feel the ground shaking. It was high energy, no time to rest.
The set also brought out another collaboration between acts on the tour with some nostalgic energy. The band covered the iconic and fan favorite Fall Out Boy songs, “Sugar We’re Goin’ Down,” which was very fitting as their new album was dropping that Friday. Magnolia Park got the song started, people were singing, dancing, moshing and just living in the moment. The lead singer of First and Forever joined the stage and finished off the song with the group. Which made this one of the best moments of the night. Adding on to the already epic moment was when Joshua Roberts climbed up and hovered over the crowd. Just adding another level of connection, fun and energy to the show.
Another favorite moment of the night was when they performed “Don’t Be A Racist.” The crowd was instructed to be up their middle fingers for the song, and people happily obliged. As a song with an important and relevant message, it went hard. Everyone held up their middle fingers high and sang the lyrics loud and proud.
Magnolia Park brought exactly what you would expect and need at a pop punk show and more. It was non stop moving around, anger, jumping around, loud screaming along to songs and just being yourself. This being the band’s first headlining tour, you could feel the happiness and excitement from the group. They owned the stage and left it all on there. From vocals to roaring guitars and pounding drums, everything, worked together to create a night the audience will not forget.
You could feel the love from the audience and how excited they were to see the group on stage. They felt passionate about the songs, and were happy to get to see them brought to life on stage. The fanbase is strong and gave their full support to the band from start to finish.
No breaks at all, just going full speed the whole time: Magnolia Park and the fans.
Baku’s Revenge can be streamed on all major streaming platforms. Information about future Magnolia Park tours and performances can be found on their website.
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Long Island legends This Good Robot return to Amityville Music Hall
Amityville Music Hall is a closet of a venue. One could theoretically throw a rock from the middle of the concert space and do some serious damage to the bartender. In short, it’s the perfect venue for a bombastic and intimate comeback.
Amityville Music Hall is wedged into the corner of West Oak and Broadway On March 8, a windy Saturday evening, this is where This Good Robot decided to host their first show in eight years.
The show also featured performances from Tree Line Drive, Jennah Vox and Machinery of the Human Heart.
“The kiddie-like play has people talking, they’re talking…” Kicking the night off was Tree Line Drive in their very first live performance, not that you would have guessed by watching. While still rough around the edges, the group clearly has potential. With a set including their original track “Magnolia” and a cover of “Sex on Fire” by Kings of Leon, Tree Line Drive exhibited a kind of talent and poise that can only go up from here.
“Maybe it’ll bring some relief to be seen, to be held like you’re ordinary…” Jennah Vox must subsist on a strict diet of Cranberries records, because her powerhouse voice recalls the late great Dolores O’Riordan. Singing from the bottom of a bruised soul, she was accompanied only by a keyboard (lent by Marvin of Machinery of the Human Heart) and a guitar at any time. Next time you need to cry out your heart into a bottle of wine, crank up “WDYL” or “Cannibal.”
“I’ll have you know, I’ll never love you any less for what we’ll never be…” Machinery of the Human Heart certainly lived up to the project’s name. With painful honesty and raw vocals, frontman Marvin took the stage with just a piano and some damn good songs to exhibit exactly what makes his heart beat – and break. Songs like “Jesus on the Telephone” and “Your Surgeon is Human Too” made the crowd laugh, cry and cheer along with tongue-in-cheek lyrics and near-uncomfortable bouts of honesty. The last song, described by Marvin as “about a funeral,” hit the hardest when Marvin tearfully screamed “I love you, Danielle!” With that, and shouts of support from the audience, Marvin left nothing but blood on that stage for the headlining band to splash in.
About that headlining band…
“Space and time are mine to transcend, but don’t call this a comeback…” If nothing else, This Good Robot proved Amityville Music Hall to be a live grenade, and frontman Michael Ragosta was beyond eager to pull the pin. The second they launched into “We Don’t Just Rock, Together We Roll,” the mosh pit was open and thrashing. “Barnaby Black is dead,” Ragosta screamed, and all us “motherfuckers” were next.
This Good Robot only has two records released: their 2011 EP The Human I Am and the 2015 album The Light is Taking Me to Pieces. Not only did that make it easy for new fans to get into them and old fans to get caught up, listening to the latter front to back is like reading a comic book. The concept album is filled with triumph and turmoil, heroes and villains – oh, and zombies. This is made perfectly clear with the track “The Human I Am,” which Ragosta performed with an acoustic guitar and the crowd literally at his feet.
Ragosta’s dynamic vocals aren’t the only thing that makes these songs soar. Guitarists John Welsh and Andrew Sclafani shred the songs to pieces before scattering them like Barnaby’s ashes. This shines particularly bright on “Get That Money,” a standout track with perfectly-calculated rage towards an insulting bribe. Layered lightning-fast guitars and apocalyptic drums from Vinny Nuzzi make it one of This Good Robot’s best, an impressive feat with a setlist that also included “Let’s Find Some Meaning” and “Woe is Barnaby Black.”
Of course, there was only ever one way to bring this set, as well as the entire show, to a close: “Call the Police.”
Easily This Good Robot’s most iconic track, “Call the Police” is both a deranged supervillain anthem and a resigned cry of defeat from the hero. Yet, it does both extremely well, balancing the villain’s mania and the hero’s dejection with detail and precision. In just over four minutes the hero gets captured, the love interest betrays the hero, the villain kills the love interest and proposes a partnership with the hero. All of this, against an instrumental that goes from a fanciful waltz to a post-hardcore wail at the flip of a switch, brought the show to a verbose and epic climax.
The song is not only iconic for all these elements, but also the way Ragosta crawls over the audience during the final chorus. Supported only by whoever has the best grasp on his ankles, he sings “This world, let’s tear it apart” in a way that makes you believe he will at any moment.
“Only your word?! Don’t be absurd!” The March 8 show was the first This Good Robot played since 2015. Based on the energy between the band and the audience, it’s sure not to be their last.
Update: In the initial post, it was reported Kyle Carberry was one of the guitarists performing on March 8 when it was actually John Welsh. The In-Crowd has corrected this error and is committed to better fact-checking in the future.
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Meet Me @ The Altar bring high energy and crowd connections to healing tour
Walking in the doors, the line of excited fans stretches all the way into the bar. Fans can be spotted wearing merch for the bands performing that night. Groups of friends are chatting and the lobby is filled with the merch of the opening bands for fans to browse as they wait. The excitement for the upcoming show can be felt throughout the small venue.
After checking in and receiving a green wristband, attendees enter into the venue that is beginning to fill. At the back of the venue is a table set up with merch for the headliner, Meet Me @ The Altar. The stage is filled with various drum sets, guitars, and basses. Several fans have already claimed their spot along the front of the stage. With no barricade separating them, they can be inches away from the acts on stage. Others have claimed spots along the risers along the side to get a view of the whole stage, a bit separated from the rest of the crowd while still being able to feel the energy and connection to music.
On March 8, Meet Me @ The Altar brought their headlining tour to Mahall’s in Lakewood, OH. This bar, bowling alley and concert venue is a staple for the area where many up and coming acts take the stage. Also on the line-up for the night are the openers Daisy Grenade and Young Culture. Looking into the crowd, many people are wearing Young Culture merch. The group is bound to be a favorite of the night.
Daisy Grenade is first to take the stage. This female-fronted duo take command on the stage. The energy is full, they feed off the crowd, use the whole stage, and look like they belong. The pit automatically begins moving around. In the center a small circle pit has opened and people are ready to move.
The vocalists were interacting with the guitarist, interacting with one another and the crowd. At one point having the crowd sing back a part of the chorus to their song, so even if they did not know the song, they could still participate in their performance. They kept song introductions short, keeping their set moving to get in as many songs as they could. They even took a moment to introduce their band to give them their moment. All and all, Daisy Grenade owned their set and bound for success.
Next up was pop punk band Young Culture. As soon as they walked on stage, the energy in the crowd skyrocketed. They held up balloons that spelled out “YC FUCKS” on it, one of the sayings among the group and fans, as it would be screamed throughout their set. After a quick introduction the band was going. The crowd was moving, including plenty of crowd surfers, ending on the stage and ending up right back into the crowd.
The lead vocalist sounded killer and commanded the crowd, including ending the set jumping into the crowd. Every member of the group was fantastic on their instrument. The guitars were roaring and drums were pounding. Their stage presence was electric. They looked and sounded comfortable and experienced, while also looking like they were having fun. The crowd was singing along very loud, and the band was feeding off that energy. The amount of people spotting their merch and singing along, mixed with the amount of people buying merch after their set, this Young Culture will be an act to watch.
Then it was finally time for the main act, Meet Me @ The Altar. The group entered from the main door, hit the stage and lit up the room. Of course stopping to hold up balloons that spelled out the abbreviation “MMATA” that were given to them. They took their positions and went into “Say It To My Face,” a release from their album Past // Present // Future. The whole crowd was moving, jumping, dancing and singing along. Standing on the risers off to the side, you could feel the ground moving underneath your feet.
The main vocalist, Edith Victoria, sounded fantastic and owned the stage. She used the whole stage, singing to each area of the crowd. Téa Campbell roared on the guitar, creating a strong strong performance and killed it when it was her turn on vocals. Ada Juarez killed it on drums and kept the songs moving, allowing the songs to be brought to life. Put the three of them together and they were a recipe for perfection. They loved being on stage and it was evident by their performance.
The connection to the crowd was strong. You felt like they were singing to you and the crowd. It felt more personal than just singing and going through the motions. Which is one of the best parts of smaller shows. The crowd does not feel isolated from the band. MMATA definitely used that to their advantage. You could see the smiles on their faces throughout the night. They would turn and talk to one another and to the crowd. It didn’t feel forced or like they were going through the motions. They were happy to be on stage performing their songs and promoting Past // Present // Future. They stopped to talk to the crowd in between songs. Also making sure to encourage the crowd to open up the pit during “Hit Like A Girl,” nothing felt misplaced, rehearsed or ingenuine.
What brought their performance to life was their personality and interactions on stage. They told stories, interacted with one another, told jokes and just had a good time, including giving Juarez a mic on this tour and playing sounds like air horns. They told stories behind songs like “Garden” and “A Few Tomorrows.” They even had a little story moment with a mashup covering “You Oughta Know,” “Complicated” and “Take Me Away.” They each had a chance to introduce their song before they went into the cover, which got the crowd excited and by the time each song started, everyone was singing along.
The room was very warm and they kept checking in to make sure we were all good and that we were drinking water. They were having a good time and wanted to make sure we were all as well. How warm it was a running theme throughout the night, but everyone was having the time of their life.
People were moshing, dancing, jumping, singing and crowd surfers were plentiful. No one stood still. The small room was packed, but people still moved. No matter where you stood, the energy was radiating, you felt connected to the band and you rocked out. It was a time to let all worries and problems go, and to just have fun and be yourself. While the show may have not been sold out, it felt like a sold out show.
The group played an previously-unreleased song called “TMI,” allowing a sneak peek into what we could hear on the new album. They brought it down for a moment with “Feel A Thing” but that was one of the only more acoustic moments. The majority of the set was high energy, fast paced, and just go, go, go.
They played the most recent released at the time “Kӧӧl” which had the crowd excited. As it had recently come out, it was fresh in their minds and were ready to sing along. Then they gave a brief history of the writing of “Garden” and were ready for a strong ending. The crowd kept the energy alive, not ready for the night to be over. Everyone taking in the last moments of an unforgettable night.
The band ended with getting a picture with the crowd and it was over. A show full of energy, laughs, smiles, dancing, singing, and just overall fun and energy. From start to finish it was a night to just let go and be in the moment. Little time to rest, but in a good way.
Overall, if you have the chance to see Meet Me @ The Altar in concert, it will be a high energy night, that will have you drawn in and moving from start to finish.
Meet Me @ The Altar are currently on tour. Information can be found on their website. Past // Present // Future is now available on all streaming platforms. -
Pierce The Veil share stories of love, mental health and life struggles on their triumphant return Jaws Of Life
Pierce the Veil is back and stronger than ever.
Pierce The Veil have returned with their heavily anticipated album Jaws Of Life, their first album since 2016’s Misadventures. Excitement for this release was high: people were excited to see if they would change up their sound or, most importantly, if the album live up to the excitement.
I can answer those questions.
This album is full of energy, strong vocals from start to finish, rocking, fantastic instrumentals, cohesive sounds and lyrics and just an overall well-produced album. It sounds clean and polished, but still has the rock edge. It has the sound of a band with the veteran experience of Pierce The Veil, but is not a perfect polished sound, allowing the rock edge to seep through.
Every track contains roaring guitars, driving drums and strong bass. Mix that with a wide range of vocals and it creates a listening experience that has you hooked from the go. As a listener, you are transported into just a world of sound. Each part competing to gain your attention, but working in harmony to blend as one cohesive sound. Nothing sounds harsh or out of place. If one part is louder or more powerful, it only adds to the overall sound, emotion and story of the track.
The underlying themes of the album are mental health, relationship and life experiences overall. The track “Even When I’m Not With You” describes how you are constantly thinking of a person even when you are not together. You feel happy when you are with them and that life is going to work out. That can be seen on lines like “Look how far we’ve come/ Think I’ve finally won (won, won, won)” and “Even when I’m not with you, I’m still with you.”
Then on “Emergency Contact,” we hear Vic yearning to be the one the person he cares about leans on. He sings “Just want to be your emergency contact” and “Things that I want, this happily ever after”. The lyrics tell the story of a relationship that may have ended or is going wrong, but the narrator is still holding on and wants things to work out. Adding on to the feeling of yearning and wanting to move forward is the rolling rhythm and created with drums and guitar. It keeps the song moving forward and fast paced, similar to what the narrator wants to happen.
On songs like “Jaws of Life,” “Resilience” and “Shared Trauma,” we take a peek into the world of mental health and trauma. “Jaws of Life” describes the different parts of Vic. It feels like parts of him are contradicting each other and he is just trying to navigate life. These constant contradictions and difficulties we face he says “Rotting in the sun, we’re inside/the jaws of life,” it is what we all have to go through as part of life. On “Resilience” it talks about overcoming trauma, something hard in life. That is emphasized with the chorus, “you’re jealous of my resilience.” He is singing to the other person and trying to portray that he is stronger and that they tried to crush him, but he got back up. Whether or not that is true does not matter, he is trying to prove to himself that he is doing okay. Even when we are not doing okay, we tell ourselves we are, we put on a front. While we may not be okay, we do not want to let that show.
“Shared Trauma” sees the idea of mental health, relationships, and major traumatic life events coming together. This song discusses how the two people share trauma and nothing will ever break that bond. They are tied together through that, whether they like it or not. These shared experiences are affecting each of them, and for Vic, he is worried how it will affect their relationship. He sings “I’m afraid/That all my veins and never-ending tragedies/Will bleed my heart empty/And scare your love away.” He is scared that what has happened will ruin what they have. Many listening can relate to the fear of losing a relationship that they cherish. The feeling of something has happened that will tear them apart for good.
While the majority of the album is full of the larger, in your face moments, the closing track “12 Fractures” featuring Chloe Moriondo takes it down a notch. It has a more toned down instrumental feel. The bass opening is groovy and has your foot tapping. It has moments where the instrumental slightly builds, but then goes back down. It is a very simple song. Both sound fantastic on the track. It definitely surprised me at first as this is the closing song, but it works. It brings contrast to the other loud, in-your face tracks on the album. It is an honest track about the end of a relationship and how they loved one another. But now it is over. The lyrics tell the story without the loud roaring guitars and pounding drums.
However, the rest of the tracks on the album are the opposite. They create an atmosphere of sound that keeps you hooked the entire time. From the very first song, “Death of Executioner,” your ears are full of sound, the album is moving and it does not stop. This song is heavy on the guitar and drums with a breakdown towards the end of the song and a roaring guitar riff that ties back to the beginning of the song. It also introduces the use of electronic effects that we will hear throughout the album. They are not overwhelming or become the main focus of any tracks, they add just a little something extra to the songs, showing how the band has evolved their sound.
What I enjoyed about this album was that while it had consistent elements with roaring guitars, pounding drums and strong bass, not every song had the exact same sound. Every song had something different about it that made it stand out and fit into the story of the album. “Flawless Execution” had Vic going starting out in a deeper vocal range for a moment, then going back up to the normal higher range. Also in the middle of the song, the sound changes and has a shredding guitar solo. It goes from a huge rock sound to toned down with a slight back down on instrumental, then right into a fantastic shredding guitar moment. That changing of dynamics and sound carry throughout the end of the song before it slowly drifts off at the end. Then on “Shared Trauma” the album takes a laid back chill vibe. It has an island and hip hop like sound with some more electronic elements.
“Damn The Man, Save The Empire” it has the more of the punk rock feel and has all the elements to create the heavier sound that many people like from Pierce The Veil. It has a strong guitar and drum build into the chorus, some screaming vocals from Vic. It used dynamics to create a story within the song. It goes back down and gets quiet and builds back up to build intensity. It is full of sound, repetitive chorus that would be easy to sing along and would be killer live. That is contrasted with “Even When I’m Not With You,” which is slowed down and more electronic.
“So Far So Fake” is one of my favorite tracks on the album. The bass line is cool and groovy during the verses. The chorus has the more typical sound from their previous albums, but sounds fresh. The bridge has a groovy sound that just makes you want to bounce but the goes into a breakdown that will have you headbanging. It takes everything from the other tracks that you loved and put it on one track. Vic kills it on vocals, the repetitive guitar at the end that goes until it drifts off is the final touch to a fantastic track.
Pierce The Veil returned to the music scene with a strong direction and proved they are not going anywhere. Jaws Of Life is a cohesive album sonically and lyrically with elements that connect, familiar riffs, drums, themes and more. The full sound, groovy bass lines, driving drums and soaring guitars work with vocals full of emotion and dynamics to create the atmosphere of the album.
The interweaving of themes of love, fear, mental health, heartbreak are threaded beautifully through each track. It is easy to follow, written and sung beautifully, complemented by the instrumental and put together in a way that logically makes sense sonically and as a story.
Jaws Of Life was released on February 10 and can be streamed on all major streaming platforms.
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Bite-Sized Beats: “Lost” Linkin Park song fails to find itself
“It was so fun to hear where we were at – what we were about, why people were showing up in the first place.”
This is what Linkin Park co-founder Mike Shinoda told Fader about the recently unearthed track “Lost.” Released on February 10, the nu-metal group released the song ahead of the 20th anniversary release of their sophomore album Meteora. A bittersweet release, “Lost” paints a dim picture of the darkest part of late frontman Chester Bennington’s mind. However, the decision to create parts of the music video with artificial intelligence has tarnished the band and Bennington’s legacy.
The production is reminiscent to something off their 2007 album Minutes to Midnight, despite being a lost track from 2003’s Meteora. It’s sleek, but not totally divorced from heavier tracks including the iconic “Numb.” Interestingly enough, “Numb” actually beat out “Lost” for a spot on the album.
“I remember that we did get to the point where we almost put ‘Lost’ on Meteora,” Linkin Park co-founder Mike Shinoda “We realized that tonally, it was the same kind of emotion and energy as ‘Numb,’ and ‘Numb’ was arguably a better song. We liked it better at the time.”
I agree entirely with Shinoda. While it’s certainly not a bad song by any means, it does feel redundant when lined up against the rest of Meteora‘s track list, especially “Numb.” While it’s as well-performed and constructed as any Linkin Park song, it lacks the punch that helped “Numb” make such a lasting impact. Shinoda’s minimal presence adds a lot, providing haunting harmonies to Bennington’s unmistakable and inimitable tenor.
As expected, the lyrics cut deep, once again detailing the loneliness and isolation that can come with trauma. The tragic loss of Bennington in 2017 lends a particularly haunted feel to the track, especially with the repeated refrain, “I tried to keep this pain inside, but I will never be alright” at the end. That being said, as wonderful as it was to hear a new song with Bennington’s vocals on it, “Lost” loses its footing without ever really finding it again.
The 20th anniversary edition of Meteora is currently available for pre-order on Linkin Parks’ official website. It will be released on CD, vinyl and all streaming services on April 7.
Check out the full music video for “Lost” below!
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“My god, I love it!” K-pop girl group songs to celebrate Valentine’s Day!
In South Korea, Valentine’s Day is just one of three holidays celebrating relationships. On February 14, it’s customary for women to give gifts to their male partners. In that spirit, here are ten songs from female K-pop artists to get you in the spirit.
- “What is Love?” Twice
Kicking off this list is the song that made me fall in love with this group. “How could it be as sweet as candy? How is it like flying in the sky?” The nine members of Twice want to know, so they explore different films including La La Land, The Princess Diaries, Romeo + Juliet and and Ghost, among others, to try and figure it out! My favorite part? They take this journey without the help of any male actors, which could add a sapphic or friendship element depending on the viewer. Many young girls across the globe learn about romance from music, literature or films, and Twice tell that story perfectly with this bubbly and adorable track.
2. “After School” Weeekly
When I say this song is addictive, I mean it. A love song about hanging out with your friends after school ends, the seven members of Weeekly (including former member Shin Jiyoon) ride skateboards and enjoy the fleeting moments that come with being young and in love. It just so happens that, sometimes, your first love is one you find with your friends. If you’re spending today with your besties, put this song on blast and tag them in your social media posts. You won’t want to forget the looks on your faces.
“We melt into each other, you feel like another me rather than a friend/I’m flying on my shaking heart..” 3. “Hype Boy” NewJeans
Rookie girl group and overnight sensation NewJeans took the world by storm with this song last year. For a while, it seemed like everyone was covering this song, including one viral video where the members of boy groups ONF and SF9 covered this in their military fatigues, and for good reason. With its bouncy yet simple production and lyrics like “you’re my chemical hype boy,” it would have been a crime for this song not to hit. The NewJeans girls aren’t “just looking for some fun,” they want something real and long-lasting. Could you be their hype boy?
“I just want you, call my phone right now
I just wanna hear, ‘You’re mine…’”4. “Senorita” (G)-IDLE
Not to be confused with the VAV song of the same name, “Senorita” is a Latin-flavored song of seduction. What else is there to do if a the girls of (G)-IDLE (including former member Soojin) can’t stop exchanging steamy glances handsome young man? The tension is palpable throughout the songs, including lyrics like “a bit different, a little naughtier” and “you don’t need to know my name,” this is not a love that’s meant to last. However, it could be a damn good time for all parties involved. Subtle yet sexy, this classic (G)-IDLE track won’t leave you wanting more.
“I fell in love with you, I don’t know if it is true” 5. “Heart Attack” Chuu
An absolute banger if there ever was one, former LOONA member Chuu brought her all to this funky track about confessing your feelings. It’s as stressful as it is exciting, Chuu perfectly captures the hurricane of emotions that come with your first serious crush. Complete with sweet vocals, energetic production and a key change for the final chorus, “Heart Attack” is an especially adorable gift to girls who love girls. Add this to your next playlist if you want to smile for the rest of today.
“Even my hidden secrets that only I knew, that mood that i wanted to tell you all about…” 6. “Bicycle” Chungha
A spicier pick for this list, Chungha isn’t as coy as the previous entry by (G)-IDLE. She makes it very clear what she wants and how she likes it, and she’s going to get it. As confident as she is sexy, “Bicycle” is a fantastic song to get you ready for a steamier night in.
“Filthy gazes, don’t mind them; Act crazy and step on it, let’s go on a ride…” 7. “Dreams Come True” aespa
A cover of the classic SES track, aespa gives it a modern spin with their stunning vocals and otherwordly visuals. With a modern trap-heavy beat and their trademark attitude, these girls exude the joy that comes with your crush liking you back.
“I’ll be happy to be with you, no more sad songs…” 8. “Loco” Itzy
Sometimes, falling in love can feel like you’re going crazy. The five girls of Itzy know this and put those feelings into words over an appropriately manic beat. Get ready to have this song hits stuck in your head every time you think of that special someone who just drives you up the wall.
“To put it simply, I feel like I was born to love ya…” 9. “Love Dive” IVE
Pun intended, IVE dove headfirst into their first comeback “Love Dive.” Equal parts sassy and smitten, the breakout group expresses the frustration and fun of playing hard to get. Whether it’s a game of cat and mouse or a staring contest, the girls aren’t ready give up or blink first. It may be “so good it’s bad,” but the song is just all-around good.
“This is enough, a chasing game; Can’t stand this attraction and curiosity…” 10. “Gee” Girls Generation
Closing this list is a K-pop classic from the legends themselves, Girls Generation. An early track in their catalogue, “Gee” is a girlish look at your first crush. Almost childlike in its giddiness, Girls Generation perfectly captures that feeling in bright pink bubblegum. A throwback in more ways than one, revisit this track and get swept up in those feelings. Bonus points to the music video for including a pre-debut cameo from SHINee’s Minho!
“My beating heart it just thuds and thuds, I can’t even sleep…” Whether you’re spending today with your friends, planning a romantic date with your partner or pining from afar, K-pop girl groups have got you covered. Which one best fits your Valentine’s Day?
Stream all of these songs on The In-Crowd Spotify playlist below!
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To your forever valentine: bops for your besties
We all have one or a few people in our lives who are our rocks. You can talk to them about anything, have some of your favorite memories with them and when your love life is down, they bring you back up. Your forever Valentines are your best friends. They are the ones who are by your side no matter what. They have been there since day one and will be by your side until the very end. While some other Valentine’s come and go, your friends are here to stay. These songs talk about the special relationship between friends and are the perfect songs to blast this Valentine’s Day.
- “Wannabe” by The Spice Girls
This is the staple song about friendship and most likely the first song to come to mind when you think about songs about friendship. This Spice Girls classic talks about how if anyone wants to date your friend, they have to get the approval of the whole crew. This is the motto between me and my best friend, and probably friends groups everywhere. So to all hopeful valentines out there, I hope you have the approval of all the friends or else you got some work to do.
“Make it last forever, friendship never ends…” - “History” by One Direction
This One Direction track talks about all the memories and history that is between you and your best friends. With the line “you and me got a whole lot of history,” hitting home with those friend groups that have been around for years. All those late nights, trips, nights out, crazy stories and more making up the history of you and those friends closest to you. Those will be the memories that you will cherish and even as people move away and don’t see one another as much, your history will stick with you.
“We could be the greatest team that the world has ever seen…” - “My Friends Over You” by New Found Glory
While this song is not directly about friendship, it still has the underlying theme of picking your friends over anyone else. A relationship goes south or you just realized you rather be with your friends over anyone else. So, if you are going through a breakup or have some realizations about someone in your love life this Valentine’s Day, feel free to blast this song all day long.
“Though you swear that you are true, I’d still pick my friends over you…” - “Another Night On Mars” by The Maine
One of the best tracks by The Maine in my opinion. “Another Night On Mars” is a song dedicated directly to friends. Those friends who make you feel less alone, make you feel human and allow you to be 100% yourself, with the line “the ones who make me feel less alien” bringing that idea home. These friends are your happy place and when you are with them you feel like you are at home. No matter what life throws at you, they are by your side.
“I do not think I would be here if not for them…” - “I’m Only Me When I’m With You” by Taylor Swift
We got an OG Taylor Swift song with this one. This song can be interpreted to be about anyone in your life who you can be completely yourself around. The person who brings out the goofy side in you and is your other half. You are happy when they are happy and if they are not happy, then you are not happy. You do not want to go through life without them which, for many people, is their best friend. When you are with your best friend, everything is perfect and you can let your guards down. This song summarizes that feeling perfectly.
“Everything I need is right here by my side…” - “You’ve Got a Friend in Me” by Randy Newman
This track from the classic Pixar movie Toy Story is the perfect addition to any playlist of friendship songs. Not only will this song take you and your best friend back to your childhoods, it will also remind each of you that you got a friend in each other even when you are far apart or life gets hard. You may meet other people, but no one will care for one another in the same way. Get together with your bestie and let out your inner child with this classic song.
“There isn’t anything I wouldn’t do for you…” - “Bitch Back” by Olivia O’Brien featuring FLETCHER
If you have had a friend go through a break-up you know exactly what this track is talking about. This song chronicles the aftermath of the break-up and showing your friend a good time. You hype them up, remember all the crazy antics you two get up to, and talk about how bad that person was for you. The iconic duo is back and you two will be unstoppable. So, if you got a friend going through a break-up this Valentine’s Day, blast this song and get into some trouble and live it up just like you two know how to do.
“Bitch, you my only plus one ’cause being single’s way more fun…” - “Birthday Girl” by Lizzo
You can never go wrong with a Lizzo song. This song from her 2022 album Special is the perfect addition to Valentine’s Day and birthday playlists. This song brings about feelings of reflection, hyping up your friend and just overall love of your friends. This track encourages you to celebrate everyday, show yourself off and be your best friend’s number one hype person. You started at the bottom together and grew together. They stuck by your side, you stuck by them and that is what matters. When you have been through tough times together, you got to celebrate the good times. So put this track on and live it up, even if it is not your birthday.
“I started from the bottom with my hoes, love y’all so fuckin’ much…” - “My Best Friend” by Weezer
Next on the list is just a straightforward song about your best friend being the person you always go to. With the line “you’re my best friend/ And I love you” emphasizing your appreciation and love for your best friend. You need your best friend because they understand you and make you happy. It takes all the ideas and themes from the other songs and just puts them in the song.
“You are such a blessing and I won’t be messing with the one thing that brings light to all my darkness…” - “My Girlfriends Are My Boyfriend” By Demi Lovato featuring Saweetie
This song may just be the perfect song for this playlist. The lines “my girlfriends are my boyfriend/ain’t nobody know me better” sums up this song. It is all about finding love within your friends, spoiling them and not needing anyone else. It talks about how you don’t need to dress up and impress them, they won’t make you upset or cause problems. You all will be partying until the end of time, you all our soulmates and you are grateful to them. A group of friends is better than one person, so your best friends are your perfect valentines.
“My girlfriends are my boyfriend, but we’re never gonna break up…” This Valentine’s day, get together with your best friends, put on your favorite songs, (maybe some of these) and live it up. They are your ride or die crew. They love you for you, they got your back and the memories you all share will stick with you forever.
Stream all of these songs on The In-Crowd Spotify playlist below!
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