EP REVIEW: Arcadia Ego – Can You Still Feel Me?

‘…a sound that feels fresh whilst also taking you back to the heyday of 00’s post-hardcore…’

Before they had released even a debut single, there was a buzz on the Liverpool grassroots circuit about post-hardcore four-piece Arcadia Ego. An electrifying live set, accompanied by tracks that showed immense promise, made for a great degree of hype surrounding the outfit. That hype has now come to fruition with the band’s debut EP, ‘Can You Still Feel Me?’

What Arcadia Ego have accomplished on this record is precisely what a debut EP should offer; a sampling platter of the sounds and musical ideas that an artist or band can conjure up. From two-step inducing rhythms to emotive vocal performances, the variety present ensures that there is something for every alternative music fan to enjoy.

‘Moonlight’ crackles with a biting emo energy, as high-octane rhythms collide with intensely catchy melodies. Nat Owens grapples with religious disillusionment and his destructive attempts to fill the void left behind, with a raw vocal performance that captures perfectly a sense of fractured innocence. ‘Blood From My Stone’ kicks off with an excerpt from ‘It’s A Wonderful Life’, before erupting into a charging post-hardcore number that surges forwards with emotive weight. Once more, catchy melodies are deftly woven by the band, with immense choruses that easily hook the listener in.

The musicianship throughout deserves commendation for its subtle intricacy, with the guitar work from Patrick Gibson in particular offering some surprisingly beautiful moments. This is particularly the case during the stirring closing track ‘Ink’, with shimmering highlights dancing across the top of the monstrous bulk of the track, as it marches forwards to a point of crushing oblivion. Owens repeatedly, ferociously screams ‘can you still feel me?’ as the track collapses around him in an emotival singularity.

Above all else, what this EP offers is immense promise. For a debut release, what Arcadia Ego have managed to craft is a thoughtful, emotive, and engaging listen, with a sound that feels fresh whilst also taking you back to the heyday of 00’s post-hardcore. Given time, it is easy to imagine this outfit producing a truly electrifying debut LP, so make sure you get on board now.

…are we able to classify ‘Blood From My Stone’ as a Christmas song?

RATING: 79/100 – Mostly Very Good

For Fans Of: Crooks UK, Static Dress, The Throwaway Scene, Title Fight, Creeper

Follow the band on social media below:

Instagram // Spotify