Grunge. That lovely word used to describe music that’s too noisy, dirty and heavy, driving your parents out of the house. Take that, inject a hint of metal into it and you’re bound to find Middleborough-based band SWEARS in all their glory.
After the release of their meaty single, Warm to Touch, in early May, SWEARS have added to their grunge-laden discography with a new EP titled Seersucker. With this album, they have managed to incorporate an edgy mix of all their strongest influences to create a project that’s soaked in riff-heavy guitars and fuzzy, drenched, distorted tones. Thankfully, Seersucker isn’t an overly polished production, with SWEARS managing to maintain that unnerving edge; with the relentless melody and a unique sound that they can easily claim as their own.
Although Warm To Touch is an easy listen and has an air of old school grunge about it, another track, Brain Dead, holds its own; with its dirty hammering bass and a combination of drums that barge their way in a beastly manner throughout the song. With the vocals taking on an almost melodic, soaring tone to them, it’s the perfect example of metal meeting grunge.
Say Nothing gives Seersucker a punkier edge, with SWEARS almost thrashing around the song, creating some intense build-ups and breakdowns. The guitars are the driving force on this track; providing some furious rip-roaring chords, which becomes the backbone to Joel Clayton’s no-nonsense, shouty vocals. It’s an adrenaline-filled tune that delivers a mix of fury-filled punk with a raw, dirty essence to it.
The dark, brooding grunge blend that they have created with Catacombs adds a little more dimension to Seersucker, giving it a different dynamic to every other track on the EP. The song brings a slower, sludgy ambience to the record, with a touch of Melvins about it. SWEARS definitely have a knack for dragging you back into a reflective abyss.
Seersucker is an EP full of infectious, atmospheric builds that’s easily the perfect remedy for scratching that grunge itch. We enjoyed it; we hope you do too.
