THOSE WITHOUT - BITTERSWEET
Those Without have officially stormed into the pop-punk building with their debut album Bittersweet, showing no sign of leaving anytime soon.
Those Without’s debut album Bittersweet is weightless.
Those Without have officially stormed into the pop-punk building with their debut album Bittersweet, showing no sign of leaving anytime soon. Bittersweet is a modern yet not entirely unique take on early 2000s punk chart-topper.
Bittersweet is an album that exists perfectly within the realms of its genre, it includes all the features you would expect to hear - speedy tempos, unforgettable choruses and loud distorted electric guitar sounds. Bittersweet doesn’t require much thought, the 10-track album is catchy and invokes endless feelings of nostalgia for listeners who went through the infamous emo phase.
The first track, ‘Happy Ever Disaster’, sets the tone for the rest of the album. We are introduced to lead singer Oskar Ogren’s powerful exaggerated vocals which perfectly coincides with the brassy sound of the track. The lyrics aid in knowing what to expect from the rest of the album, the lyrics throughout the album focus on the turmoil of a romantic relationship. The raucous melodies almost distract you from how unfeigned the lyrics are, they cut deeper than your average romance gone-wrong pop-punk song.
‘Pink Alligator’ follows the first track and feels like it could be leaning out of the genre, before the tempo changes halfway through and we are back were we started. ‘Voodoo Doll’ and ‘Weightless’ come afterwards and are highlights of the album. They are the ultimate crowd-pleasers and are a real taste of Those Without.
The rest of the tracks follow a similar structure, bold and harsh. ‘Cleopatra’, however, is a wallflower, you don’t see it coming at first but when you hear it, you appreciate its beauty. The lyrics and melodies are soft, and it’s a surprising but pleasant break from the rest of the album.
Bittersweet shows that Those Without have cemented their signature sound but their next album will be telling, will they exceed their own pop-punk boundaries and make a ‘Name For Themselves’?
Taylor Duffy
★★★☆☆