[XOLO] [ALMA] by Sodaseas

For fans of Cime, Mamaleek, Shearling, contemporary skramz, and the horrifying struggles of the cutest stray cats, [XOLO] [ALMA] by Sodaseas explores our fragile animal nature through cathartic lo-fi crescendos. On the one hand, embracing our nature as animals brings a sense of serenity which finds voice here through gentle guitars and violas, bringing our minds closer to our bodies in a way that pays massive emotional and spiritual dividends. However, on the other hand, when the powers that be hold our fragile bodies hostage, the body suddenly becomes a death trap, sparking the explosive hardcore punk performances on this record highlighted by frayed, distorted vocals and frantically noisy instrumentals. The meandering paths between hold most of the content of the record, containing uncomfortable tensions in harmony, instrumentation, and vocal inflection which embody the complex day-to-day reality of physical embodiment. Of course we must always stay vigilant to threats, but that vigilance can live perfectly comfortably alongside an appreciation for all which makes us vulnerable in the first place.