Album Rating: 4.5

That's an interesting take on horror movies. It's certainly valid but your approach does ignore the other elements a good horror movie can offer. Comedy in comparison is interesting because it's so incredibly rooted in laughter. I'd argue a horror movie can be successful without scaring you but a comedy would always be unsuccessful if it didn't make you laugh.



I think it's absolutely fine if you think this is an average record. My problem is the term "filler". Filler is tracks that are shoved on the record to pad out the runtime. If a band wrote filler material, that implies they knew it was average or below average material but included it anyway.



I find it unlikely that a band like Polyphia would put out an EP full of filler material. Polyphia are not The Rolling Stones. Polyphia are not a singles band and are not creatively bankrupt yet. The pressure for them to put out "filler" is just not there.



Rather than label this as filler, I feel a more fair approach would be to say that the band took a risk with material they probably believed in, but it didn't pan out well for them.

I agree. I believe they wouldn't have released the EP without believing in the material to an extent. It would seem pointless to release an EP full of filler, especially because with the frequency that they release their LPs, it's not like their fans are strapped for music from them. It would be one thing if they take 3 years in between records and they feel pressured to put something out to appease the fans. I think they see the band name, Polyphia, as an outlet for their creative interests instead of putting out stuff that fans have come to think that they should make. Also, with the obvious R&B influence of Renaissance, I don't see moving to hip hop or trap tendencies being too far of a stretch if we are talking about branching out further. Unfortunately, with a release like this, it can either be considered great or hated, especially by fans of their fairly well-grown discography who expected something but were treated to something completely unexpected. I know I've initially disliked releases from artists that I really liked after they switched a direction, but after listening again as almost a separate entity I can appreciate it.

did this band finally integrate vocals? why are they labeled as Metalcore?

Album Rating: 4.0

No there's no vocals (actually they had vocals when they first started way back) and because they started out writing metalcore music, check the Inspire EP

Album Rating: 1.5

This band and this EP is what's wrong with Millennials.

Album Rating: 3.0

so much salt over an EP.

i listened to it, it was fine, i moved on.

if you need a hug man, i'm here for you

Yeah, it might be a dumb thing to hate on cause the music isn't terrible, but this whole facade/image they got going on is really embarrassing.

I really liked Inspire and Muse, they still kinda looked like douches then, but not as bad as they do now lol. Oh and Renaissance is legitimately good

Album Rating: 4.0

Renaissance is extremely good, especially compared to this EP

Album Rating: 3.0

yet you still gave this a 3.5 so i don't know what to think

Album Rating: 4.0

I want to give these guys the benefit of the doubt, and i know 3.5 is a big stretch, but i have high expectations for these guys cause i loved their other stuff, this is a good EP, just disappointing to Polyphia standards

Album Rating: 3.5

This isn't as bad as most people are making it out to be, imo. While progressiveish and/or technical music is more my bag, I like a lot of music. Being forced to listen to other people's music at work has led me to have an appreciation of rap, like Fetty Wap, Future etc. I get that they're going for party music. Is this as good as Renaissance? No, and I'd prefer a return to that style (although more fun, like this EP shows), but put this on and start working out or whatever and it's perfectly adequate, although you only need to enjoy a few songs. Goose is a highlight personally.



This actually makes me think of something else: do you guys care about filler? Does it bother you or are you fine having an album where it's better only listening to half the tracks? Could be my abysmal attention span talking.

Album Rating: 3.5

"Yeah, it might be a dumb thing to hate on cause the music isn't terrible, but this whole facade/image they got going on is really embarrassing."



Funny you mention that. I read an interview with them, and they went on talking about length about image. How they were trying to look cool, go for something, and were basically super caught up in their image. The lead guitarist said that they've moved on from that and want to focus on the music more... but... I've never heard someone be so frank the way they said. Like no musician has just talked about trying really hard to be cool. It made me giggle, and feel slightly embarrassed for them (despite them being one of my favourite bands). I probably should know this, but I assume they must be REAL young to prioritize image over music when they're already so talented.

Album Rating: 4.0

I'd like to read that interview if you remember where you read it, frankly i dont really know how to deal with "filler" material, i think the term filler can really only be used when refering to an EP such as this, and does this EP bother me? im leaning more so towards yes, because if their next album is like this, ill be dissapointed

Album Rating: 3.5

Alright, here's the interview. It's actually a really good interview to read if you like the band. They're one of my favourites because I love playing guitar but have such trouble finding stuff I want to play that's fun. So then Renaissance came out and I had material to learn.



https://www.guitarworld.com/artists/introducing-polyphia-rising-stars-instrumental-guitar-scene



It's pretty long, so this is the specific section on appearance:

"To that last point, Henson says, “I guess we kind of asked for it. When we first started it was like, ‘We can appeal to musicians with our music, but we want girls to like us, too!’ ” So we cared about how we looked. And maybe we were really dumb to do that. Because sometimes people don’t even comment on our music. It’s only, ‘You guys look bad. I hate you.’ ” But on this next release I don’t think we’re going to focus on any image at all. Because it’s irrelevant. It’s just about the music and that’s all that matters.” As far as the next release, Polyphia are currently holed up at a Detroit studio putting the finishing touches on an EP due later this year. And for fans who may have felt the EDM touches of last year’s “Lit” were a step too far, be prepared."

Album Rating: 3.5

I see what you're saying about filler. I actually think there are a few good songs here, but like you, I would be disappointed if this was their next album because I prefer their Renaissance style in a big way. An EP, especially, has no reason to contain filler.

Album Rating: 3.0

these dudes are young, so for them to have this self-aware moment so soon (not saying it happens to all bands but you know) and not let it continue to be their focus, grats to them.

Album Rating: 4.0

Hopefully they focus more on their Renaissance sound after this

Once hated, always hated

Album Rating: 4.0

As someone who liked Polyphia since the release of Inspire. I've always wanted something along the same lines to be released. Every album prior seemed like it just didn't hit the mark for me. I listened to this when it came out, and was just further put off.. Until i listened to it again the other day, and for some reason i'm in love with it.. Maybe i'm just ready to hear something different in this genre. Guess i just wasn't in the right place on my musical journey to appreciate it until now.

Album Rating: 4.0

Yo Inspire is still such a jam