They’re back! When we reviewed Sonic Scene Kids’ debut album, Live, Laugh, Toaster Bath, I summarized my experience with a reactive, no nonsense epiphany: “Holy crap, I really liked this album.” They wield some influences I don’t normally gravitate towards (emo, ska, post-punk), but they blend these genres with a powerful, emotive rock expressed with a virtuosic, collective, heart-on-sleeve conviction. So, when they dropped by with their latest album, You Are Not Alone…. well, I was positively psyched, hyped, and graciously giddy. Does You Are Not Alone… continue the Kids’ brand of authentic, from-the-heart alternative rock? Let’s hit the highlights….
Wait. What’s the album about?
You’re not alone in the universe, nor without emotional support when things go dark…
Although the music is upbeat, the lyrics tackle darker subjects like, per the band, “mental health, heartbreak, and other sad things.” But, per the alien cover, the band wants you to know they don’t take themselves too seriously. In fact, they’re quite comedic in their collective self-deprecation.
What we’re really digging (i.e., the highlights).
The album kicks off with “Astro do-si-do.” It starts with a strumming, nearly phasing electric guitar and a sharp higher note riff; it’s almost Scottish/bagpipe-ish in tone. What I’m really liking is the pre-chorus; a slower, cymbal-crashing, beat-heavy section creating a sense of tenacious but slow ascent over weight-bearing emotional obstacles. This is definitely on-brand, and a powerful opening track.
“They’re Trying to Kill Me,” after some muted guitar and fuzzy vocals, simply takes off. The energy does NOT. LET. UP. It’s straight to the point, serious, slightly in pain, but also not too seriously invested in said seriousness. This is more of a straight ahead rocker with a powerful harmony aside and some post-punk playfulness.
“Fun Me!” has a catchy, angular verse and a great speak and response chorus. And….I don’t actually think they’re saying, “Fun…” In fact, I think it may be….the other F-word. Possibly. I would have to check with the band….
“Comatose” starts with big chords and then a jet engine-ish, propulsive guitar. The verse features two vocals, another interesting speak and response dynamic, before hitting a more playful chorus. This is part light, self-deprecating, diabolical, and triumphant. Excellent track.
“Spiders” starts with a distant guitar riff that comes quickly, powerfully, to the foreground. And the guitar continues at this defiant, in-your-face level, but pulling back briefly for each verse. What a striking show of strength amidst any obstacles; a song built on a strong, consistent feeling that never, not once, ebbs in the attack. Hands-down, “Spiders” is my favorite track.
“Dark Daze” fades in with an echoing, delayed guitar – it reminds me, in a strange way, of “The Living Years” by Mike + The Mechanics, although the effect is more pronounced here, and the foundation of something harnessing 1000% more energy. There are some great moments in this song: the uplifting chorus, the melodic guitar notes breathing deeply in the verses. This is ANOTHER great song in an album positively stuffed with them.
“Don’t Look Now” begins with hopeful organ and bending guitar notes. It proclaims its pain and frustration in layered, hurriedly strummed guitars. There’s a great section that slows up a bit and proclaims an empowering refrain before the song reclaims its normal aggression – it reaches its conclusion through a stripping of instrumentation, and the final hits of a distorted drum kit.
The album closes with an acoustic version of “Heaven,” an amazing track from their very first album. The voice here is strong, hitting that higher register. The song, although less instrumentally dense, still wields the original’s emotional potency. Good grief, what an amazing track, and effectively expressed with more intimacy due to its acoustic nature.
But is it good?
With strong vocals, propulsive, emotional, immediately memorable guitar-based melodies, and flawless instrumental cohesion, Sonic Scene Kids have done it AGAIN. They created ANOTHER alternative rock masterpiece that blasts from a screaming, tattooed heart. It’s powerful, vulnerable, tightly played, brimming with conviction, and immaculately recorded/produced without disregarding that dirty pop-punk feel. Good grief, folks, this band is AMAZING, and I implore you to get on the ground floor and LISTEN. NOW. TODAY.
BELOW: Listen to Sonic Scene Kids and check them out on Bandcamp, Spotify, Instagram, and Facebook. Please support Sonic Scene Kids by visiting their website and playing, downloading, and/or purchasing their music. And, as always, thank you for supporting real music.
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