Frontside Releases Pop-Punk Powerhouse EP "Closer to Closure"
Photo courtesy of Frontside
Pop-Punk progressives Frontside have cemented their spot in the alternative world with their EP “Closer to Closure”, released today. The five-track powerhouse includes all of the hallmarks of the band’s chosen genre: cutting guitar riffs, rattling drums, scream-worthy lyrics of lost love, and vocals strong enough to echo Patrick Stump. Lead singer Walter Stanley describes the project as, “a mix between the progressive catchiness of Coheed & Cambria and other bands like Silverstein who were taking pop-rock and adding a heavier edge to the sound.”
Hailing from Wilson, North Carolina, Josh Grady (bass) and Alex Jolly (drums) joined Stanley to create the group in 2008. After the success of their 2013 release “Cheers and Fears from the Past Year” and 2016 EP “You, of All People”, Frontside went on to combine works and give their fans a full-length LP in 2018 - “Essentially, Eventually”. This led to openings for He Is Legend and Finch among others, as well as their signing to Revival Records. “Closer to Closure” is a new chapter for the group, who are used to releasing their music on various independent labels.
The EP opens with “Give It Up”, a guitar-driven breakdown of sorts. Background screams pepper the chorus as Stanley pleads with his lover to confess to their mistakes. “Your eyes/
They're dead to me,” he shouts. Frontside writes their own tracks, with Stanley himself being the primary songwriter. The group shared, “Our songwriting has varied over the years but almost always begins with a riff or song idea that Walter has crafted.”
“Smith” provides even more insight into the technical abilities of Frontside with lengthy interludes showcasing demanding guitar riffs and solos. It also highlights the group’s lyrical depth, discussing the weight of divorce on a child caught in the middle. “This is something that's so common it could almost be considered a norm, but that doesn't take away from any difficulties it places on a child,” the group shared, expressing a hope that the subject matter’s relatability would provide comfort to those feeling alone. Dynamics are evident in the group’s ability to transition into a hazy bridge, softening vocals and warning the subject of the track, “I won’t see you around much more.” It picks back up with a punch equal to the introduction, the perfect prerequisite to the emotion behind the single “Einstein Killed Me.” It is the band’s favorite track to play off of the EP, and details the “conflicting feelings” that one has during the reluctant decimation of a relationship. Trends of complicated solos and infused screaming continue.
“Take Heed” remains the most upbeat track on “Closer to Closure”, resembling mid-2000’s pop-punk. A catchy chorus serves as the center, major chords momentarily uplifting the EP. However, the lyrics reveal a much darker reality than the sonics. Stanley laments, “I thought so hard of why I'll never be alone/ We take our time and we sit and wonder why/These things get old.” Another bridge breakdown provides a gleaming respite in the chords, bending genre and introducing a somewhat playful melody. The mask is lifted when the anthemic refrain breaks in, reminding the listener of the track’s subject matter. “Monstro” finishes the work, a fast-paced, drum-heavy feat. Stanley continues to serve passion in his vocals, inducing a goosebumps-worthy choir at the ending of the track: “Please take my hand so I don’t get lost/ Like we all did/ In time we’ll be the same as we were/ When we were dead.”
The more optimistic ending is a testament to the EP’s message. “This EP is full of action and tells people that you can recognize your heartbreaks and hardships while still having fun and looking upwards,” Frontside shared. Although this body of work was recorded in March of 2019, far before the onslaught of the pandemic, the band has had to navigate new terrain in this period of release. A livestream from The Cat’s Cradle in North Carolina allowed them to reach out to their audience, but they want to emphasize quality over quantity in appearances and performances. “We'll most likely continue to seek out select opportunities that our fans will enjoy without trying to oversaturate them.”
“Closure to Closure” is available now on all streaming platforms.
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