Cymbals Eat Guitars – LOSE
3.5/5
New York’s Cymbals Eat Guitars have released their latest work LOSE. Emotionally driven, the album is titled after frontman Joseph D’Agostino’s experience with the passing of his best friend Benjamin High.
Strong punk hooks and melodies set the foundation, layered with grungy vocals and lo-fi guitar distortion.
The opening track “Jackson“ lightly brings the listener into the album with a graceful piano intro, that then leads into a dramatic and powerful ballad to kick off LOSE.
“Warning“ maintains the alternative punk sound with D’Agostino belting out the chorus, backed by loud and punchy instrumentals.
Featuring a harmonica to set the song in motion, the punk-based track “XR“ is just the right amount of energy, passion and hooks to create a sense of nostalgia and remembrance.
LOSE slows down slightly with “Place Names” and the soothingly poetic and textured song “Child Bride“.
Resetting the pace, the 8-minute track “Laramie“ builds up at different peaks, with different parts forming together to create the song, concluding with a two minute instrumental detonation.
The second half of the album is more tame than the first, but still retains the complex emotions and musicality that D’Agostino aimed to share. To end the album, “2 Hip Soul“ beautifully constructs itself into a checkered pattern, with highs and lows patching together.
Exclaim.ca has the full album to stream.
