SCOWL - PSYCHIC DANCE ROUTINE EP
Between touring with bands like Destroy Boys, Show Me the Body and Limp Bizkit and setting Sonic Drive Ins ablaze, Scowl their debut album, How Flowers Grow, Scowl have come back swinging in full force with their latest EP Psychic Dance Routine. This release follows the trail they have set ablaze in taking the hardcore scene by storm with a heavy in your face sound. The band harnesses the sound that has propelled them and also incorporates a couple of stylistic changes that make this release a step in the right direction.
From the first track ‘Shot Down’, the band comes straight for the jugular and grips you with their fast hitting sound before transitioning the track into a 90’s grunge inspired number and interweaving both sounds simultaneously. WIth vocalist Kat Moss switching between a harsh and raw sound to channeling her inner 90’s grunge, it makes this track a definite standout.
For the fans looking to hear a continuation of their previous release, the track ‘Wired’ captures the feel and energy for you. This track simultaneously takes influence from a droney drudging in your face sound to a hard hitting track that could definitely homage to early Ceremony. The hard hitting energy in this captures the essence of the band. This energy also closes out the EP with the track ‘Sold Out’, that is full forced and has a borderline anthemic outro. With the words “I’m burning out/Don’t sell me out” echoing to a close.
This release further exemplifies the rise of Scowl and how quickly they are becoming one of the pillars of the modern hardcore scene. They have shown a maturity in being able to bring in different styles and influence and really make it work well to their advantage while also honing in to really own that sound and still make it sound like their trademark. Although Psychic Dance Routine is on the shorter side, it definitely uses that to it’s advantage and packs a punch in every second. Psychic Dance Routine builds up the excitement and anticipation of what the future holds for Scowl and makes them one of the must see acts of the year.
Alfredo Luna
★★★★☆