Dryjacket
For Posterity


3.7
great

Review

by Sowing STAFF
January 16th, 2017 | 98 replies


Release Date: 2017 | Tracklist

Review Summary: Thanks to Dryjacket, pop-punk gets off on the right foot in 2017.

Pop-punkers Dryjacket have experienced the kind of rapid rise that most bands, like this four piece group hailing from Marlton, New Jersey, can typically only dream about. They signed with Hopeless Records after releasing just one EP, and now stand on the precipice of national recognition with the creation of their first full-length album, For Posterity. The attention is well deserved too; these young musicians bring forth everything from emo vocals and pop-punk rhythms to math-influenced guitar work. If their 2015 debut EP Lights, Locks, and Faucets showed Dryjacket beginning to tie together the diverse roots of the three bands from which they formed (Ampersand, Exit 34, and Heartwell), then For Posterity sees all the pieces falling into place on a polished product that reaps the benefit of all those fine-tuning and integration efforts.

For Posterity boasts a confident, lively brand pop-punk essentially from start to finish, taking only a few calculated breaths to slow the pace. From the complex and rhythmic weaving of ‘Epi Pen Pal’s mathy guitar intro all the way to the funky acoustic breakdown on ‘Patron Without Funds’, it’s a technically slick and supremely enjoyable record straight across the board. Dryjacket seems to place an emphasis on guitar work and technical intricacies, but they still boast two irresistible hooks here: the unexpected inundation of trumpets and other regal-sounding brass on ‘Two Toasters’, and the undeniably catchy woah-oh’s that see ‘Abe LinkedIn’ reach a pop-punk styled fever pitch. If there’s a knock to made against For Posterity, it’s that amidst their unflinchingly consistent instrumental contributions, there are not enough moments of sheer melodic bliss injected into each song – which is something that clearly elevates the likes of ‘Two Toasters’ and ‘Abe LinkedIn’ above their equally proficient but less memorable counterparts. Despite this, For Posterity constantly feels fresh and is always aiming for new ways to capture its listeners’ interest from an instrumental perspective. It’s an admirable feat that Dryjacket succeeds at on practically a per-song basis here.

The songs that bookend Dryjacket’s debut stand in stark contrast to the rest of the album, displaying a more vulnerable side that is accented by underlying depth and emotion. Opener ‘Wicker Couch’ sees lead vocalist Joe Junod gracefully picking at his acoustic guitar, humming bitter laments like “we commemorate your absence with absinthe” and “lying face down on a wicker couch in the fucking rain…you devastate just to get your way.” Although lines like this are spread throughout For Posterity, they’re never more apparent than when Dryjacket trades in their signature upbeat sound for more of a personalized acoustic songwriter approach. Closer ‘Ana (An-Uh, An-Nuh)’ echoes the sentiments laid out by ‘Wicker Couch’, delving into an apparent holiday breakup: “losing my voice and not by choice, since you and I had it out / it's New Year's Eve and I'd like to leave, but I'm passed out on the couch.” These tracks ease us into and out of the album, like interludes and outros specifically designed to heighten the emotional impact of the content that rests in between. It’s yet another weapon in Dryjacket’s arsenal, and the poignant way in which this whole experience starts and ends truly gives For Posterity that cyclical, authentic “album” feel.

Dryjacket has the sound of a band that is pop-punk in name only, because they offer a plethora of differing musical elements that range from emo and punk to mathcore and acoustic songwriting. While being signed to Hopeless Records may prove to be one of the biggest boosts to this band’s career, they’re still wary not to fall into the trap of aiming to please. Rather than trying to emulate other titans of the label, such as Yellowcard or The Early November, they come forth with a sound that blends multiple styles and is distinctly their own. For Posterity is – for a pop-punk album at least – guitar-heavy and technically precise, yet accessible enough in its structure and approach that it feels inviting and easy to listen to. The result is a very strong debut that becomes more memorable and recognizable with each subsequent listen. If you are a fan pop-punk, indie-rock, or emo, it’s time to get excited about one of the best new bands on the block.



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user ratings (95)
3.4
great


Comments:Add a Comment 
Sowing
Moderator
January 16th 2017


44509 Comments

Album Rating: 3.5

I haven't been able to stop listening to this. Definitely one of the better bands to put out an album early this year.

Calc
January 16th 2017


17459 Comments

Album Rating: 3.0

this aint half bad

zaruyache
January 16th 2017


27750 Comments


last Wonder Years album was really disappointing so I need something to fill up that pop punk void I'm still feeling.

3waycrash
January 17th 2017


264 Comments

Album Rating: 3.5

Been meaning to check this out since I liked the few songs I heard from this. Good to hear of your approval for it now too.

Snake.
January 17th 2017


25376 Comments

Album Rating: 2.5

damn gonna check

ShaquilleONeal
January 17th 2017


266 Comments


They absolutely killed it on their tour with Yellowcard and their EP was great. I cant wait to find a copy of this.

dub sean
January 17th 2017


1011 Comments

Album Rating: 3.5

never heard of these guys, but judging by the review, touring w/ yellowcard and the general vibe i got from their youtube videos this sounds like something i would love. thanks for turning me onto it

Slex
January 17th 2017


17255 Comments


Excited to check

ianblxdsoe
January 17th 2017


1921 Comments

Album Rating: 1.5

really solid band, glad it didn't go under my radar, really solid emo math rock that actually isn't trying to suck american football's dick

Slex
January 17th 2017


17255 Comments


Man Two Toasters is awesome

Conmaniac
January 17th 2017


27704 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

would i dig this?

dmp3131
January 17th 2017


1361 Comments

Album Rating: 5.0

Anyone else get a very slight Billie Joe Armstrong vibe from the vocals?



Either way, enjoyed this on first listen. Definitely has some replay value and looking forward to letting this one sink in more.



Slex
January 17th 2017


17255 Comments


Con yeah I totally think you would
Couldn't quite put my finger on who the singer reminded me of but yep 100% agree dude sounds like Billie Joe a little bit

Conmaniac
January 17th 2017


27704 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

mmmm ill check then

Feather
January 17th 2017


10534 Comments


Just checked out misused adrenaline and I'm excited to check the rest out early tomorrow. Thanks as always Sowing :-)

sempiturtle
January 17th 2017


1685 Comments


Saw them with Yellowcard and they seemed like just another band, nothing special, but I guess I'll check this.

dmp3131
January 17th 2017


1361 Comments

Album Rating: 5.0

Yeah this is definitely real solid

Trebor.
Emeritus
January 17th 2017


60012 Comments


Sowing 3.9 which adjusted for regular ears is like a 1.5 so probs gonna pass on this one

Artuma
January 17th 2017


32790 Comments

Album Rating: 3.0

this is actually alright what

Artuma
January 17th 2017


32790 Comments

Album Rating: 3.0

sounds kinda like harmlessness without any punch but i'll take it



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