SINGLE REVIEW: Sharpened.Lives – a whole new world – jasmine’s version

‘…isn’t simply a collection of vaguely liberal platitudes, but instead a violent rejection of a status quo that empowers nazism…’

Based out of Mainz, Sharpened.Lives are a self-described ‘polygenre heavy alternative’ outfit. Their debut EP, ‘st//tches’, was released late last year, and showcased a band that showed utter contempt for the concept of being pigeonholed. It blended emo, industrial, metalcore, hardcore, and pop punk in a brilliant display of creativity. Their latest single, the enigmatically titled ‘a whole new world – jasmine’s version’, is perhaps their more powerful yet.

The sweeping rise of the far-right is not simply an American problem; across the globe, democracies are being morphed into fascistic police states that seek to protect the interests of the elite and the hateful. This latest single from Sharpened.Lives isn’t simply a collection of vaguely liberal platitudes, but instead a violent rejection of a status quo that empowers nazism; a central ‘1312’ hook laced throughout the track is not only deeply infectious, but a direct, explicit, and effective attack on police state politics.

Vocals are delivered with fierce, unrepentant screams, laced with a righteous anger and sharpened wit. The instrumental is a thumping collision of metalcore, hardcore, and just a hint of emo. Guitars chug with a thunderous energy that emboldens you to throw shapes and Molotov cocktails in equal measure, whilst glimmering keys are used sparsely to add some sharp brightness to it all.

Certainly, a powerful political message is vastly more important than producing good music, yet with ‘a whole new world – jasmine’s version’, Sharpened.Lives manage to do both just perfectly. This is the kind of political anthem that is needed in the modern world; sentiments of “everyone just getting along” no longer work when entire governments are built upon the disrespect and subjugation of certain vulnerable peoples.

Happy Pride month, and remember that Stonewall was a riot.

For Fans Of: Auraboros, My Chemical Romance, Lvndmarks, Knocked Loose, Bring Me The Horizon

Featured photo credit belongs to @valentinkrach_photography.

Follow the band on social media below:

Instagram // Spotify