EP Review: Upsetter – Doomgaze (Self Released)

Brisbane/Meanjin dynamic emo rock duo Upsetter will release their long-awaited new EP, ‘Doomgaze,’ on August 11th, 2023.

The best thing about Upsetter is how they upend the conventional expectations of what emo-rock could and should sound like. Yet, the heart and soul of emo is running through this EP like a thick vein. To call them a unique sounding band is to not fully portray the fascinating creation that is this EP.

A 40-second piece of moody and fuzzy melody (Doom) leads into Deserve. A track that has only grown in stature since it was first reviewed in a Single Slam. Back then, we said that it was:

An ambitious and anthemic track with a lot of heart. The theme of discomfort felt towards the end of a relationship and the things that go unsaid between partners comes through strongly. The melodic moodiness works off the powerful chorus nicely, and it turns out to be a bit of an ear-worm track.

All those words still apply, and then some.

The same goes for Martyr, a track speaking of the aftermath of moving on and ultimately wishing the other well. Where a gloomy tone is prevalent, but the sharper jabs of instruments and an overall pacier tempo helps make this one stand out.

Featuring Dylan Davidson & Stepson, Tell Your Friends You Love Them is extremely gloomy sounding. The robust and heavy instrumentation playing off the clean singing, with bursts of punkier energy mixing the tone up in interesting ways.

Blossom is a deliciously grungy and sludgy sounding track, Upsetter laying the misery on thickly. All while having a classic emo-rock tone present throughout. Whereas Hate Me has much more prominent emo-touches and melody. Both tracks continue to show just how creative this duo are.

Finally, it’s something almost ‘pop punky’ and certainly a lot more upbeat with Emotional Hygiene. Upsetter are hitting anthemic stages, and it’s hard to not move and sing along to this one. Although, don’t get the complete wrong impression, it’s still got so much of their vigorous moodiness present. Then, to close out the album, it’s Gaze, an outro of spoken word with disconcerting fuzzy and crackly noise that gets faster as it goes on.

This is an awesome release that highlights all the best things about Upsetter and how they are doing their own thing completely.

Upsetter – Doomgaze Track Listing:

1. Doom
2. Deserve
3. Martyr
4. Tell Your Friends You Love Them (ft. Dylan Davidson & Stepson)
5. Blossom
6. Hate Me
7. Emotional Hygiene
8. Gaze

Links

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