Review Summary: The rise of the djenty boybands.
Shrezzers are a band that very much feels akin to the likes of Issues. That is a very poppy approach to post-hardcore with an emphasis on funky, djenty guitars and pop-punk-esque drum beats. However, Shrezzers takes things a step further in their debut record
Relationships. It feels like a boyband gone djent. The band's image plays a key role in the band's appeal. Like your standard heartthrobs, Shrezzers are pretty boys, only they play poppy djenty metalcore instead of mainstream pop.
Yeah, boybands in the past have been very off putting, this is for certain. However, these more post-hardcore leaning boybands are able to break away from that mold, thanks to their approach to riffage that's sure to impress a lot of fans of this style. The guitar riffs are as luscious as their hair, comprising riffs that will surely have you dancing in your living room. Djent and funk seem like a thing that shouldn't go together, but it does. That metallic edge, combined with rhythmic groove techniques adds to the groove. Funk and djent both have a guitar technique that sees the guitarist muting the strings and creating a scratch that adds a lot to that infectious groove.
Being a djent boyband, of course, they're going to be smooth when they want to be. Many segments include vocals that are sure to make the women swoon. The vocalists courteous delivery is presented with a lot of exheuberant character. The lyrical topics will often derive from things pretty sexual, and with a name like Shrezzers, playing on the popular
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Brazzers, they surely ought to be. These smooth deliveries are complimented by a production with tremendous clarity. Each guitar solo, in particular, shines with a radiating brightness.
And what's more sexy than a saxophone, of course, so it's utilized a lot throughout the album. However, the saxophone could be integrated a bit better into the music. In most tracks on the album, the instrument usually only appears during a solo section. It would be great if it was integrated a lot more into the songs because when it does show up, it works well. It just doesn't show up enough. The saxophone really compliments the smoothness and suave approach the band is going for. Because the saxophone isn't there enough, it becomes an afterthought a lot of the time when it should probably be the main focus because a metal band with a saxophone player always stands out. Sure, saxophone in metal is far from a new thing anymore, but there's something to be said about Shrezzers inclusion of it and how it elevates their sound to new heights.
All in all though,
Relationships is a very good time. It has infectious grooves laced throughout its runtime, packed with gorgeous, bright and uplifting melodies. The boyband-gone-djent thing is definitely a thing that has gotten more popular in recent years. The obvious originator is probably Issues, but Shrezzers plays a role in this, too. Sure, the saxophone could have been more in the forefront, but most of the time, it's not a huge issue.
