Fast Five: November 25, 2019

With November coming to a close, we visit both veterans of the music industry and up and coming contenders in this week’s Fast Five. On the lighter end of the musical spectrum, veterans in the alternative scene Beck and Coldplay both released genuine and experimental records on Friday. Emarosa continues to explore their pop and soul influences in their latest single “Ready to Love” released last Monday, while A Day To Remember continue to deliver small choruses and big breakdowns in “Resentment” released last Friday. On the heavier end of the spectrum, Blood Incantation put out a gritty and purposeful album that does justice to the death metal genre.

Emarosa – Ready to Love – Single

With the daring release of Peach Club at the beginning of the year showcasing the group embellishing their pop influences over their post-hardcore roots, Emarosa follows up on the momentum left behind with the infectious single “Ready to Love.” The track feels like an extension of what can be heard on Peach Club from a melodic standpoint, and it focuses on a very similar theme: moving on past heartbreak and knowing whether or not you’re ready to give love another chance. Much like the vibe on Peach Club, the single has vocalist Bradley Walden demonstrating his soul-style chops, with bold ’80s influenced grooves to back it up. “Ready to Love” was released a few weeks prior to the group embarking on their Peach Club Tour, which has sold out on 15 of the 18 dates, proving that their fanbase has embraced their stylistic shift with open arms.

Beck – Hyperspace

Following up on the 2017 release Colors, Beck continues his trend of having a wide range of influences in Hyperspace. With Hyperspace being Beck’s 14th studio album, he’s certainly no stranger to the industry, and finds a way to stay trendy and timeless in his latest release. Hyperspace was co-produced by Pharrell Williams, and the influences in the collaboration are evident in the ambient and out-of-this-world synth vibes. While the instrumentals are easy to get lost in for their diverse nature such as “Die Waiting,” the album as a whole has a very somber and melancholic aesthetic despite the heavy electronic use in tracks such as “See Through.” Hyperspace has enough catchy melodies to entice the outside ear, and enough layers and depth in the lyrics to make it worth coming back to.

Blood Incantation – Hidden History of the Human Race

Like any genre of music, metal can be broken up into a seemingly endless division of subgenres that can vary drastically depending on which end of the spectrum they fall. Blood Incantation’s sophomore release History of the Human Race fits within the classic template of a death metal album, with the 36-minute duration of the album revolving around only four tracks. But the Denver natives possess something very unique in their latest release, focusing on two important characteristics in the death metal scene: precision and technicality. Every note serves a purpose, with a healthy balance of aggressive guitar chugs and ambient calm before the storm moments, making the transitions cohesive and organic. Drawing influences from genre giants such as Cannibal Corpse and Morbid Angel, Blood Incantation creates a unique sound to call their own and command attention in the metal scene.

Coldplay – Everyday Life

Just like the constants in each passing day as time rolls on, Coldplay fittingly divide their eighth studio release into two halves: sunrise and sunset. Within the sunrise portion, tracks such as “Church” posses familiar and radio friendly components that can be felt in recent Coldplay discography. Ironically enough, the gospel is felt in tracks such as “BrokEn” and “When I need a Friend,” with high-spirited church choir vibes in the former and somber group singing in the latter. The group gets political in tracks such as “Trouble in the Town,” with an audio sample directly providing insight into racial injustice. In the sunset portion, “Orphans” and “Old Friends” serve as highlights for their infectious nature. The album is structured much like everyday life: jumbled, chaotic ,and taking unexpected directions. However, there’s a certain beauty in the uncertainty and abstractness.

A Day to Remember – Resentment – Single

Earlier in the month, A Day to Remember announced the delay of their forthcoming seventh album You’re Welcome, which had an original release date of November 15. This past Friday, they released “Resentment,” holding listeners over with small choruses and big breakdowns. The characteristics are familiar in ADTR tracks, but the group does them so well that they continue to work. They’ve continued to keep their core the same, with a splash of contemporary influences to keep their content updated and fresh. That much is highly apparent in the EDM crossover single “Rescue Me” that was released earlier in the year with DJ/producer Marshmello. If “Resentment” is any indication of how You’re Welcome will sound, fans should expect the Day to Remember components they know and love with some modernization as well.