’…it is continuously baffling that Origami Angel manage to sound as expansive and rich as they do considering they merely number two…’
It is perhaps a surprise that Origami Angel have remained so consistently good. From their debut LP, ‘Somewhere City‘ the duo have remained pioneers of emo’s 5th Wave, not only delivering a solid sophomore record with ‘GAMI GANG‘, but a fantastic mini-album/mixtape in the form of last year’s ‘The Brightest Days‘. With headline dates on both sides of the Atlantic under their belt, and attention from even the mainstream of rock music publications, it is clear that ‘gami gang 4 lyfe’ truly means ‘4 lyfe’.
That degree of consistency continues onto their expansive yet conceptually focused third record, ‘Feeling Not Found‘. As implied, much of Origami Angel’s latest effort casts a magnifying glass over the existence of the self within the information age, and what it even means to identify as an individual in an era in which the rest of the planet is kept in your pocket. If ‘GAMI GANG‘ existed as a record of experimentation, then ‘Feeling Not Found‘ has taken what has worked, and elaborated upon it in a variety of exciting ways that still maintains the core appeal of Origami Angel.
What must be commended before anything else is the pure musicianship of the duo. With vocals and guitars handled by Rylan Heagy and percussion handled by Pat Doherty, it is continuously baffling that Origami Angel manage to sound as expansive and rich as they do considering they merely number two. The incredible technical proficiency of these musicians isn’t just for show; how the pair manage to weave all of the double kick rhythms and tapped guitar passages into impactful musical passages is part of what makes this record stand out. Nothing here is superfluous.
This is particularly the case when the band flex their experimental muscles. ‘Where Blue Light Blooms‘ brings unconventional phrasing and lounge pop aesthetics to the band’s emo party, and as a result becomes a slick if disconcerting look at the unhealthy grip the online world has upon us. Moments of metalcore and hardcore crop up on the breakdowns and heavier moments of of ‘Dirty Mirror Selfie‘ and ‘Fruit Wine‘, showcasing that the band have perfectly mastered their more aggressive side and now exactly when and how to wield it.
Heagy’s vocals still maintain their original charm, packed with a human sense of wonder, but now feel more rich and powerful than ever before; some of the melodies that Heagy manages to produce truly manage to deliver an impressive amount of emotional weight. From the luscious near-ambient opener ‘Lost Signal‘, to the bristling anxiety of ‘HM07 Waterfall‘ and ‘Higher Road‘, right to the very end of the euphoric closing statement ‘Feeling Not Found‘, Heagy is still the same innocent optimist that made ‘Somewhere City‘ so uplifting, just now a more mature figure who is more aware of the crushing weight of the external world.
Perhaps the only major critique that could be made of the record is that is simply takes a little too long to hit its stride. After an incredible opening, moments such as ‘Viral‘ and ‘Wretched Trajectory‘, despite being well-performed, don’t really push the album in a direction that forces the listener to take note. At fourteen tracks long, some of these pieces could have been trimmed and perhaps reserved for a companion EP; they’re certainly good songs, but get lost in the crowd of excellent material here.
Regardless, there isn’t a single moment on ‘Feeling Not Found‘ that could be considered disappointing, or even just average. Origami Angel are always able to keep your foot tapping at the very least, and in an era in which albums seem to striving for shorter and shorter run times, it is commendable at the very least that Origami Angel have attempted to deliver a substantial and meaningful body of work.
The reputation that Origami Angel have as the poster-people of 5th Wave Emo is certain to continue with this record. ‘Feeling Not Found‘ offers not only plenty for long-term fans, but enough impressive musicianship that even those who are otherwise averse to the genre may find it well worth their time checking the record out. The information age may well be a hellish dystopian nightmare, but Origami Angel are here to remind you that there are still things worth fighting for.
RATING: 82/100 – Very Good
For Fans Of: Prince Daddy & The Hyena, Hot Mulligan, Microwave, Kerosene Heights, Stay Inside
Physical copies of the album are available to purchase here.
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