Further's infectious brand of New York emocore gracefully tugs on the heartstrings of all those who listen with a biting edge and enveloping melody that hits full on with emotion drenched wails and vicious guitar assaults. Bringing to mind acts like Radiohead, Far the Deftones and combining them with a liberally traditional New York Post hardcore sound, there's a lot to be enjoyed in this release as the music sways throughout the speakers in various directions.
Vocally the album features an honest sounding light voice that piles on melody and can sound akin to a more gruff version of Radiohead's Thom Yorke, while during the more aggravated moments, they can sound as though they are almost physically struggling with themselves, sounding similar to Chino of the Deftones. Overall though, the style and tones achieved by no means try to emulate either vocalist and end up possessing enough flavor of their own as they belt out remorseful wails and entrancing harmony. Guitarwork can feel a bit brittle as jagged riffs are used and employ tones that are both shrill and rich to weave a delicate wall of distortion and aggression. There are a few intoxicatingly crunchy start and stop riffs here and there, which tip their hat to the post hardcore sound, but the bulk of the material can feel very similar to something you could expect from Radiohead or Far. Bass is competent and makes no bones about doing its job with spiraling riffs that drive the songs home with confidence and thrusting riffs. Some intricate playing is utilized in the form of winding fretwork, but as a whole the moderate tuning and humble nature of which it is integrated really make it feel like more of a background component rather than having it jump out directly at the listeners ears. Drums are accentuated with a lightly loose tuning that rings out throughout the tracks with a hush nature and feature ample variation including dynamic rim hits and stylish rolls all packed into a less is more approach that manages to create a fulfilling percussive experience.
The groups music is intensely passionate and although two of the songs on the album step towards a fragile upbeat nature, the track "Amazing Device" includes some blistering vocals and catchy distorted riffs that give an unexpected aggravated swagger not commonly seen or done this well, especially in music that flows down the emo vein. From top to bottom the 3 tracks glimmer with a hypnotic radiance, and the vibrant song construction which forms spacious breakdowns and impressively thick guitarwork manages to effortlessly charm and bring an inner sense of release. Perhaps the only downfall is that some of the tracks don't feel as though they've totally reached fruition as of yet, as they use a very ambitiously constructed pop flair that doesn't pack as much punch as the darker moments of the disc. As a whole though this demo showcases a lot of talent and gives proof that mesmerizing guitar riffs can be played without shameful downtuning or Korn like heroics. Further may sound a bit distant from what the flavor of the month bands out there are doing, but this in turn is also their strength and what makes them so enjoyable, with landslides of shy emotion and a heavy serving of dynamic finesse, this CD is indeed one that you will always want to keep close.
(4.5 / 5)
