EP REVIEW: Love As Always – Silver Linings

‘…A cohesive and compelling body of work that serves as a perfect musical and thematic introduction to this band…’

Love As Always are a four-piece based out of Hampshire and Wiltshire who emerged late last year with their debut single, ‘Easy Life’. Describing themselves as the ‘catharsis of friends expressing themselves as honestly and authentically as possible’, the band have focused their material on themes of mental health, love, and loss, resulting in a sound that is emotive, enthralling, and engaging.

‘Silver Linings’ is an EP that is certain to take you back the late 00’s and early 10’s of post-hardcore and emo. Lovestruck lyricism is delivered over the top of melodic yet crushing instrumentation, with the heaviness balanced out perfectly by moments of subtle catchiness. The result feels somewhere between Casey and Biffy Clyro, and makes for an impressive debut release that showcases not just a wealth of musical talent, but a clear sense of identity and focus.

‘Easy LIfe‘ is donimated by a hypnotic, crushing instrumental that leans heavily in a grungey, shoegazey direction; fuzzy guitars atop of steadily lurching percussive beat bulldoze the listener with a hazy, bittersweet weight. The bridge brings some well executed heaviness, whilst the vocals alternate between low, brooding melodies, and semi-screamed passages that cut through the dense layers of noise. ‘Without Me‘ is musically far brighter, yet arguably thematically darker, as vocalist James Whiddett ruminates over a lost love, and the benefits of their own absence. Sparkling guitar work compliments the surprisingly catchy melodies well, and the central gang-vocal hook of ‘Are you happy without me?‘ is simply begging to be performed live. The track feels anthemic without losing emotive impact, nor vulnerable intimacy.

‘The Grey‘ continues the brighter instrumentation, but this time matches this thematically, with lyricism that seeks to embrace community and togetherness in the darkest of times. Whiddett’s vocals work beautifully well in contrast with this, with the screamed passages complimenting the glimmering guitar melodies. The rhythmic switch-up prior to the final chorus is a particularly nice touch. It is however perhaps ‘Juliet’ that is the real highlight of this record. Grappling with suicidal ideation, the lyricism is dark and vulnerable, with a scathing, bitter wit that is beautifully executed during the opening verse (‘I want to jump off the roof but I’m afraid of heights/I want to do a Juliet but poison has a bitter taste’). The introduction is simplistic, with glittering guitars layered beneath simple, melancholy vocals. Then, the track erupts into a ferocious, cinematic passage that utilises screamed vocals in almost a spoken-word manner, before vaulting into thumping, hardcore-tinged rhythms and bold gang vocals. It is a superb closing statement to the EP.

‘Silver Linings’ feels indicative of a band that has an incredibly bright future ahead of them. A cohesive and compelling body of work that serves as a perfect musical and thematic introduction to this band, it would not be a surprise to see Love As Always become darlings of the alternative underground in the years to come. They have musical talent, strong songwriting, and fulfil a musical niche that is certain to appeal to those who yearn for post-hardcore of days recently passed. Keep a close eye on this outfit.

RATING: 76/100 – Mostly Very Good

For Fans Of: Casey, Biffy Clyro, Bouquet, Being As An Ocean, TNL VZN, Have Mercy

Physical copies of the record are available to purchase here.

Follow the band on social media below:

Instagram // Spotify