Sad Songs for Beautiful Days - Native Crowds
Okay, so I’m biased. I have a special place in my heart for emo rock and the people that make it. The genre is what got me into music as a nerdy 15 year old in youth group listening to Taking Back Sunday and Brand New on one of those Sony Walkman disc players that had the skip protection. You remember those? It was like a magic trick shaking it around while jamming out without the song freaking out and the disc stuttering.
All that to say, when I heard that Native Crowds was finally releasing some tracks to Spotify, I was ready to fall in love.
The EP is titled “Sad Songs for Beautiful Days” and that poetic and lengthy title absolutely nails the feel of this record.
Jeremy’s talent is in his emotive expressions. Whether that’s the creative guitar soundscapes that are woven throughout the record or, more pointedly, in his singing. DeLara has some incredibly raw lyricism that cuts at the heart strings before spraying the listener with blood. This is the kind of record you listen to immediately following a messy breakup. It’s a record that begs to be screamed on a highway in the middle of nowhere with the windows down and tears on your cheeks.
Opening with a short teaser of an acoustic track, the band immediately follows it with palm muted, emo-punk greatness on “Lie of Omission”. DeLara is scream-singing his way through the track full of vitriolic hurt and the song elicits a nostalgic pang that feels so familiar.
There’s a great breakdown at the end of the tune that opens into a fantastic guitar solo. I can’t over stress how perfect Jeremy’s voice is for this genre. The subtle quaver as he stretches to those high notes is what everyone who has ever been hurt before feels in their lowest and most vulnerable. It’s primal and just sends chills down the arms.
The next track has a more subtle guitar riff that reminds me of the tones on some of Brand New’s instrumental tracks. It may be my favorite from the record. I can also confirm that it pairs really well with whiskey.
The story it tells is so earnest.
And really, that’s my favorite take away from this record. DeLara is being authentic, and that level of honesty really bleeds into every note of every track and we are all better for it. I believe his hurt, nothing feels overwritten or worked into something it wasn’t supposed to be. It all sounds like the stages of a breakup and I think that’s a unique kind of beautiful.
The album closes with “Daylight Savings” and it’s a great way to finish off a journey like this. I got chills with the doubled vocals near the end and the cool discordant guitar lick over distorted power chords. It’s all the greatest hits from the best of 2000s emo and I’m absolutely here for it. I hope you check it out and hit their upcoming show at Leftwoods next weekend, Nov. 21 at 9pm.
This album feels like a labor of love from the labors of being in love and Jeremy and the gang should be very proud of what they’ve put out there. Thanks for writing music. Let’s play a show soon.
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