THECITYISOURS - COMA
COMA is a highly successful and sonically powerful album that is quintessentially TheCityIsOurs, while introducing their newest member, vocalist Oli Duncanson.
COMA brings about a new era for London based metalcore band TheCityIsOurs and introduces their newest member, vocalist Oli Duncanson. The album was near completion prior to the first UK lockdown in March 2020, with Duncanson's vocals being recorded remotely in the following months. According to the band's guitarist, Mikey Page, this makes the record "a blend of all the madness" from the last few years.
‘Does It Keep You Up?’ is the first song from the album and is the perfect opener that instantly sets the tone of COMA. It is a slow-building track with a dramatic ending, and the passion in Duncanson's voice is immediately evident. The second and title track of the record, ‘Coma,’ encapsulates the feeling of existing but not entirely living, like being in a coma and the world moving forwards without you. Its honest and raw lyrics make the song very easy to resonate with the listener and the heavy vocals perfectly match the heaviness of the meaning behind COMA.
The opening of the third track, 'Death To Me’, sounds like a pop song. Its catchy vocal hook juxtaposes the dark lyrics, which tell the story of a relationship breaking down. There is a strong sense of disconnection from the world around you which flows nicely with the tone of COMA. ‘Violent,’ the fourth track on the record and the first song they released as a band with new vocalist Oli Duncanson is angry and aggressive with a sing-along chorus and is quintessentially TheCityIsOurs. The first thing you hear on the track is the vocals which is a strong opener and introduction for Duncanson. ‘So Sad’ is heavily melodic and features a key change towards the end, which isn't commonly seen in heavy metal music, making TheCityIsOurs stand out from the crowd. They put their own spin on the genre and make it their own.
The penultimate track, ‘Barely Alive,’ addresses thoughts of suicide and narrates the lowest points of life. It aims to destigmatise mental illness, specifically young men opening up about their feelings and processing them instead of bottling them up. It has been placed purposely before the closing track, ‘Save You With My Love’, which touches upon topics of acceptance which is the result of fully processing an emotion or experience.
‘Save You With My Love’ has a soft mood but a heavy sound and it feels like the closing of a chapter. The lyricism explores allowing the universe to take its course and accepting that some things in life cannot be changed—a perfect ending to a highly successful and sonically powerful album.
Rachel Wonders
★★★★☆