ALBUM REVIEW: As December Falls – Everything’s On Fire But I’m Fine

‘…The performances are tight and well put together, but with no variety and a real lack of creativity…’

Established back in 2014, As December Falls are a four-piece alternative rock band based out of Nottingham. Their self-titled debut LP would release in 2019, but it wasn’t until 2023 that the band would truly start gaining widespread attention, with Heavy Music Awards awarding them with the Best UK Breakthrough Artist. Their third album, ‘Join The Club‘, swiftly followed this, with some sizeable hits including ‘Carousel‘ and ‘Mayday‘.

2024 would see a collaboration with Gold Bloom, the release of a live album, and the beginning of the roll out for the band’s fourth record, ‘Everything’s On Fire But I’m Fine‘. Now, around nine months and five singles later, that record has finally arrived, and feels like a perfect glimpse into how alternative bands navigate the age of the algorithm. There is plenty here to enjoy, but unfortunately the flaws aren’t simply minor; they are craters on the face of the record.

As December Falls intends this to be an emo album for the modern era, and those intentions do shine through. This is a collection of punchy, poppy, and bittersweet anthems that certainly carries a similar energy to other culturally emo records. Whilst there is a reluctance to compare female fronted bands to Paramore, this record does fit into a similar sonic vein as the likes of ‘Riot!‘ and ‘Brand New Eyes‘, albeit it with the modern polish and heavy-pop flair of the likes of Set It Off or Scene Queen.

The title track is a decently catchy affair, with a real danceable energy and a slick bass line. ‘Ready Set Go’ has a swaggering bombast, and the bridge is fantastically executed, with an unexpected tempo increase that almost feels a little D’n’B in nature ‘Fall Apart‘ features an electrifying second verse and bridge segment, with pumping, bass infused beats carrying something of a dance flair. ‘For The Plot‘ is a surging power pop infused anthem, with buoyant rhythms and catchy melodies that beg to be performed live.

‘I Can’t Relate‘ is a brilliantly fun pop-punk cut, with bright, punchy percussion cruising forwards beneath a genuinely enjoyable vocal performance and sparkling guitar melodies. ‘Angry Cry‘ has a decently compelling instrumental, acting as a nice, heavy midpoint for the rest of the record to revolve around, although the lyricism is notably weak. ‘Sometimes I Hurt My Own Feelings‘ exists in a similar vein, with a bombastic and compelling rhythmic section that is unfortunately let down by strained vocals and out of place guitar shredding.

There is a real sense of potential here, and compared to previous material, this does feel like a real step in the right direction for the band. However, too often does this record sound like a band aiming for the emo playlists, rather than creating a compelling and cohesive body of work. Much of the record, whilst well performed, offers little versatility in terms of structure, melody, or lyricism; overwrought angst, snappy guitar riffs, and swaggering bass lines can all be good ingredients, but As December Falls simply layer them in a manner that across the span of a record ends up feeling a little boring and predictable.

On top of that, the moments that the band do inject some versatility into this record are cut dreadfully short. ‘Rewrite‘ and ‘This Isn’t Us‘ seem confused as to whether they want to be interlude style pieces or full blown ballads, and end up landing in a disappointing and unsatisfying middle ground. Neither track reaches beyond the two minute mark, but both feature some really pleasant, emotive instrumental work, and powerful, compelling vocals that for once allow Bethany Curtis to truly shine as a vocalist. ‘This Isn’t Us‘ is by far the worst offender of the pair, closing off the entire album abruptly and leaving the listener wondering if they have perhaps accidentally paused the record; it builds up towards a grandiose idea, but simply refuses to realise it, making for an incredibly disappointing ending.

‘Everything’s On Fire But I’m Fine‘ is the sound of a band that seem hellbent on wanting to create something for emo fans to put on their playlists, and in the process refuse to challenge themselves whatsoever. The performances are tight and well put together, but with no variety and a real lack of creativity, you cannot help but wonder if As December Falls have anything truly original to offer. Throw these tracks onto your emo playlist for some decent filler, but don’t expect anything revolutionary from this record.

RATING: 64/100 – Decent

For Fans Of: VUKOVI, Paramore, Issues, Set It Off, Scene Queen

Physical copies of the album are available to purchase here.

Follow the band on social media:

Instagram // Spotify