Review Summary: It's not about what you've lost but what you still have.
4 of 5 thought this review was well writtenWhether anyone chooses to admit it or not, these days are dark times for the post-hardcore tag. It’s evident when the probability of future pioneers feels so rare. It’s nearly impossible to distinguish a handful of current acts, which for some, will fade into obscurity. At an even faster rate than they burst out with such contrivance. The lines have been blurred in the eyes of generic consumption, shifting the playing field to cheaply accommodate the present state of a deteriorating scene. It’s almost as if striving for an individualistic representation is a sure fire way to make certain these bands are not only underappreciated, but damn near obsolete, and it’s quite a downer.
But in spite of meandering trends, there will always be a special few who are willing to step up in the face of adversity, and prove that all is not lost on their battlefront. San Diego-based four-piece Keyes is one of these shining examples; clearly hell-bent on making sure optimistic mindsets do not crumble underneath the weight. Armed with a refreshing take on emotionally reminiscent golden ages,
Therefore/Without decimates the opposition, crafting an unstoppable desire. The album cover encompasses the desolate impression felt throughout the musical narrations and delves into the unstable territory of the hardships humanity endures in life.
The aggressive compositions, made that much more impactful when filtered in a cycle of unwinding portions of shoegaze, unpredictably dish out ruling passion. It’s within the alluring majority such as, “Cities of Fog with Nothing to Love,” “Snowglobe,” and “Eleanor Lamb” where this young band excels beyond their years. The mutable time signatures dexterously portray an ambient gloss. It’s accompanied by such poise that it makes the full embodiment of everyone seem so unfairly effortless. It’s only amplified when the inclusion of chilling soft-spoken cleans teeter on the edge of gut wrenching yells. Unapologetically rattling nerves in the process.
Undoubtedly,
Therefore/Without’s raw maturity will serve as a progressive template, reigniting the spark of post-hardcore’s sorely missed artistic capacity. Keyes has managed to deliver a commanding statement, easily resonated in the hearts of many, longing for a promising reason to stay the course. If the elaborate writing potential showcased within these modest members can be continuously expanded, then the achievement of this EP is just the tip of the iceberg. It’s an exciting prospect that will hopefully come into fruition, setting the stage for a much-needed transition. In the meantime, others with a common goal will aid this pipe dream.
