’…a great little introductory body of work for newcomers to one of the most invigorating rising stars in emo…’
Last year saw North Carolina based four-piece Kerosene Heights release their latest full-length record, ‘Southeast Of Somewhere’. The album was a solid collection of tracks, marked by a sound that pulled from both punchy pop-punk and melancholy midwest emo to produce something grounded yet fun; one track even found its way into the 2023 Top 50.
Surprisingly, Kerosene Heights are back already. Following on from their tour with The Casper Fight Scene, and just prior to their upcoming tour with Michael Cera Palin, Cheem, and CaliCuzns, the band have treated fans with a four-track EP entitled ‘Leaving’.
Before the music even starts, I’m almost willing to slap a 100 on it for the artwork alone; beautiful minimalist stuff.
For the most part, this EP picks up where their last record left off, with three tracks that feel like they could have easily have found a place on the album. The production doesn’t quite feel as polished, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing; there’s a raw, scrappy energy to these cuts that translates brilliantly.
’Dennis #3’ is a particularly catchy number, with a snappy, bouncing percussion, and shouted vocal harmonies in the choruses that elevate the track just enough to make it really stand-out. ‘Night Walk Ultra’ on the other hand is a soaring cut that places huge vocal melodies over guitar lines that alternate between raw punk ferocity and complex melodies. There’s a real melancholic nostalgia that permeates the band’s work here, and it’s impossible not to find some charm in it.
However, it’s the opening track ‘Michigan Again’ that truly stands out as the highlight here. Kerosene Heights really lean into their midwest emo side, with a jangly, mathy guitar performance that carries both energy and whimsy. Similar can be said for the percussion, which flows effortlessly through brilliant polyrhythmic passages.
Not only does ‘Leaving’ ultimately manage to feel like a fantastic companion piece to ‘Southeast Of Somewhere’, but it also acts as a great little introductory body of work for newcomers to one of the most invigorating rising stars in emo. ‘Leaving’ is well deserving of a place on your playlists this summer.
RATING: 77/100 – Mostly Very Good
For Fans Of: Origami Angel, Prince Daddy & The Hyena, Garden Home, Michael Cera Palin
Physical copies of the EP are available to purchase here.
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