Review Summary: Instant Post-Hardcore Classic
Static Dress REALLY care about their art. That statement alone might even be an understatement. Authenticity is everything to Static Dress and their frontman Olli Appleyard. Intensely dedicated to their craft, the band never stops even when they go four years without releasing a new project: crafting visuals and videos, designs, video games, comic books, secret releases and expressing themselves as authentically as possible no matter what it takes. This level of creative output and fervent passion for one’s art is incredibly hard to find, and Static Dress have it in spades. Their sophomore album ‘Injury Episode’ has been in the works for four years, and you’d be remiss to think they’ve wasted a second of that time. Through the silence, label changes, world tours, and world-building, they’ve been refining their skills by honing in on the intricacies of their sound they’ve made thus far. Everything the band does is intentional, and while it is great on a surface level- there's a rewarding amount of depth for those who choose to dig beyond, especially if you’ve followed their journey from the start. For as grandiose and impressive ‘Rouge Carpet Disaster’ is, ‘Injury Episode’ puts everything into overdrive. It’s an album that’s not afraid to push boundaries creatively and sonically with one rule: it has to be truly human.
This tenacity and push for humanity, real art, and originality is admirable in today's time, leading the charge against the rise of art as a commodity and substanceless algorithm-driven “music.” ‘Injury Episode’ is an album that’s been through a lot. It’s been on a journey, it’s been lived in, it’s had time to mature, and most importantly, it has meaning. You can hear how much effort went into it-, it's raw and authentic. Real drums, real amps, and pure substance. Every song has its own distinct identity, yet feels cohesive. No two songs on ‘Injury Episode’ sound remotely the same, but they all sound distinctly like Static Dress. From the mathy Dillinger-meets-Glassjaw chaos of “Classic.Death.Pose” to the somber orchestral emo ballad “…Hospice,” the band ambitiously executes each track with just as much care as the next.
That’s not to say they’ve shed their sonic identity by any means- they’ve progressed it. The dissonant riffage, anthemic emo choruses, and chaotic glitched breakdowns of ‘Rouge Carpet Disaster’ can be found throughout the record, but advanced. It's tighter, more dynamic, multi-faceted, and denser. The lead single “human props” doubles down on their artistic identity, with its multi-layered chorus melodies, DIY sound design, and the frenetic post-hardcore riffage we’ve come to know and love. It’s a testament to their commitment to progress and a blatant and unashamed rejection of the industry status-quo, confidently dismantling the ladder-climbers and plastic people they’ve encountered on their journey as a band.
The opener “questioning” is a mic drop moment for the band- it beckons attention instantly with Ogden’s fiery drum performance, constantly shifting time signatures, soaring chorus and catchiness despite a lack of repetition. It’s a special track that showcases all of the growth the band had as musicians in the last four years. It sees them coming into their own and reaching a new height and letting you know they’ve arrived, much akin to the moments their genre contemporaries Taking Back Sunday and Thursday had with ‘Louder Now’ and ‘Full Collapse’ 20 years ago respectively.
This newfound confidence and complexity continues to carry through ‘Adapter”, a slower-paced track that’s highlighted by its shocking late key change, and “Nostalgia Kills”, a raging collab with scene legends Underoath with the hardest 2000s alt metal riff you’ll hear all year. The latter is an especially impressive feat, balancing four vocalists at any moment, sudden tempo changes, and showcasing Olli’s vastly improved vocal range amongst two of the most iconic voices in post-hardcore.
The groovy nu-metal swagger of “Malebomb” and frenetic punk thrashers “Lip Critic” and “Dull Blade Disguise” see the band at the tightest they’ve ever been, fit best for circle pits and smashing through breakdowns. However, a shining highlight on the album is the most aberrant track in their discography, “Adult Diamond”. Lying in the wake of the devastation unearthed on the previous tracks, “Adult Diamond” dives into the ethereal landscape of dream pop with lush reverb-soaked guitars, out-of-phase drums, and chime-y synth leads. Loathe’s Erik Bickerstaffe produced the whole album, but it's on cuts like this and the interludes throughout the record where the weight of his contribution is felt, with its dreamy atmosphere and ambiance tying everything together narratively and conceptually.
Static Dress are my favorite band out right now- their drive, dedication, and attention to detail of every little aspect of their music is unlike anything anyone else is doing right now, and it’s so inspiring. Every member of the band poured their souls into the making of these songs, whether it’s the subtle time signature changes, vocal parts from each member, or the impeccable songwriting on display and story woven throughout its run. It’s the result of dedication to craft, creativity and a love for genuine art. Following a debut album as highly regarded and beloved as ‘Rouge Carpet Disaster’ is not an easy task, but they arose to the challenge. They built upon the proficiencies and passion that made ‘RCD’ such an impressive debut while exploring new creative outlets and expanding the depths of their sound- and Injury Episode is the result of it all.
