Review Summary: Cubic zirconium never sounded so good
Palette Knife’s similarities to midwest emo/math rock mainstays Origami Angel are undeniable. Both groups are distinctly characterized by wistful nostalgia, heaping helpings of immature humor, frenetic tap riffs, and surprisingly fitting vocal samples (in this case, a horrifying domestic dispute from the film
Hereditary). While Palette Knife’s lyrical content may also initially feel familiar, a thorough parsing of
New Game+’s prose reveals an outlook diametrically opposed to
GAMI GANG’s sunshine and rainbows sugar high, an emotionally resonant weapon that assists the Columbus, Ohio trio in differentiating themselves from genre favorites and occupying their own niche in a saturated emo market.
Underneath the happy-go-lucky exterior of
New Game+ lurks an uneasy emptiness that threatens to swallow the band whole. Issues of identity, relational strife, and existential uncertainty are deftly woven into songs with titles like “Avatar The Last Cakebender” or “Science Is Spooky Sometimes” because of just how difficult this record professes vulnerability to be; every salient observation about the steadily shrinking box our narrator finds himself in is masked behind layers of irony and cultural references. Does this schtick grow tired by the album’s conclusion? Certainly, but its more effective instances allow the listener to be thoroughly blindsided by some of the record’s more eloquent excerpts.
Outside of
New Game+’s narrative content, it would be easier to dismiss the record as derivative, if its instrumentation weren’t so damn fun. While every member of the group is certainly capable of head-spinning speed and technicality on their respective instruments, the trio opt to let the intricacies of their songwriting structures do the talking; observe the seamless meter shifts and modulations of “Letters From Momtown”, the surprise tempo change that shotguns “Jelly Boi” into new emotional territory, or the consistent emotional crescendo of album highlight “Weekend At Tony’s”.
Not every songwriting decision is a success, and a handful of sudden departures into uncharted waters can feel more like a rug being pulled than a veil being lifted. It’s occasionally a bit rough around the edges, but
New Game+ is a commendable display of skill by a group of talented musicians who will undoubtedly continue to progress in their artistic prowess, provided they further embrace their own individuality and what makes their music special.
