“You can sing while my spirit starves.“
New York duo Karmella have exploded onto the scene this year with a number of emotionally resonant and comforting singles. Experimenting with alternative rock and metalcore alike and fusing them into a blend that is somehow fresh, palatable, and unique without sacrificing any elements of either, the group seem poised to take both scenes by storm. On the back of wildly successful single “Porcelain Roots”, Karmella release their debut EP, Marcescence. The title, denoting the withering of plant life that continues to cling on even after decay, builds upon the visual and lyrical botanic themes of the singles. That melancholic atmosphere permeates the EP, yet there is something simultaneously uplifting about it; through suffering comes growth.
The record opens with “Peace With The Pain”, a short and sweet spoken word segment backed by waves of ambience, delicate synths, and a unique and hypnotising electronic beat reminiscent of Bring Me The Horizon’s amo. The remnants of a fully-fledged song erased by a software update, it eases the listener in to Marcescence’s soundscape before exploding into the title track. “Marcescence” packs a mighty punch, delivering everything there is to love about Karmella: crunchy guitarwork, vibrant ambience, and – despite the track being driven by intense, staccato uncleans – a subtle yet catchy chorus hook.
If there’s one thing Karmella does especially well, it’s hooks. I have been addicted since I first heard the chorus melody to “Past Tense”, and that impression has not wavered in the slightest. Vocalist Javi Delez’s tones are fluid and chameleonic across this record, each style tailored to the respective track. Falsettos are teased on “Beauty in Death” and “Darkest Days”, moodier melodies on “Wither”, and all the while these varied cleans are layered frequently with screams to lend them an effectual grit. It’s a truly inspiring experience listening through the songs consecutively and being met with a different variation – like a charcuterie board of Delez’s vocal tones and melodies. Only time will tell whether this is the vocalist experimenting in search of a preference or whether this continual adaptation will characterise Karmella’s music for years to come.
The lyricism, too, makes the vocals particularly worthwhile; Marcescence is awash in gorgeous metaphors.
And now as these chains fall apart,
I will search deep for all that’s left of me.
Make mistakes that will keep me encaged,
Burned like a phoenix, I’ll wilt and return from the grave.
You can sing while my spirit starves,
As I rebuild myself from end to end.
Where furniture stores and Instagram influencers have proudly proclaimed Live, Laugh, Love for far too long, the oft-embroidered epithet lacks one key addition that defines the human condition: Loss. Marcescence deals with that in a raw and engaging manner, whilst never succumbing to nihilism. Anthemic debut single “Past Tense” reflects on the best and worst memories that remain following loss, and the bittersweet closure at the end of the grieving process. Captivating cleans entrance the listener, backed by some punchy albeit programmed percussion and guitar leads which propel the track to its cathartic and heavy crescendo. It is one of my favourite songs of the year. The chorus is superbly catchy:
You were the best in the past tense,
You were the light in the dark.
You were the cause of my madness.
I’ve been swirling down the drain that you caused.
You were the best in the past tense,
You were the spark in the dark.
Setting fire to the mattresses and everything our bodies had touched.
Despite the internet’s valid appreciation for the piano-backed breakdown in “Porcelain Roots”, the aforementioned “Past Tense” and “Beauty in Death” are the standout tracks for me, both being incredibly dynamic. Gorgeous clean sections are contrasted with fast riffing and breakdowns that fit flawlessly into the complexion of the song and leaving you wondering how the song transitioned there so smoothly. The latter, particularly, weaves the guest vocals from Justine Grove perfectly into the mix, with the vocalists harmonising to great emotional effect. The crystal-clear note Justine holds overtop the breakdown completes the haunting atmosphere and provides a neat twist upon the ‘holding a scream over the breakdown’ trend championed by songs like Fit For a King’s “Backbreaker”.
The atmospheric and synth-laden “Darkest Days” closes out the record. In the current state of metalcore, it is one of the less adventurous tracks, but as the longest also proves to be a gripping journey which manages to skirt the common pitfall of having a breakdown as a crutch. Prominent ambience, rich guitar tones modelled on seven string drop F# guitars, and thick, recurring double-kicks keep it ticking along. Lyrically and dynamically restrained, the deliberately repetitive hook also serves to be quite hypnotic. Whilst “Darkest Days” does not stand alone as strongly as some of the other tracks, it certainly hits the appropriately cinematic note befitting a closer.
Karmella’s sound is distinctive, and still the record bears a remarkable diversity. The dark, haunting façade of “Porcelain Roots” would feel out of place overtop “Beauty in Death”, and yet they flow into each other effortlessly. The songs sit in a place where they cater to both fans of alternate rock and heavy core alike. The breakdowns hit like a truck, but that is primarily due to their atmospheric work, stellar production, and perfect placement within the course of the songs. From the unexpected breakdown of “Past Tense” to the slow, haunting build of “Porcelain Roots”, there is little in the way of excessive downtuning or deep gutturals to dissuade the casual listener, yet the resolutions are satisfying. They feel right. Even “Beauty in Death”, with its poppy melodies and gorgeous ambient sections, is chock-full of bouncy metallic riffs.
There is an evident structural formula to the tracks, but they are executed phenomenally, with small elements – such as the keys in “Porcelain Roots” and the female harmonies in “Beauty in Death” – giving each track its own identity. Thus, perhaps some experimentation with song structure could be in order. By no means is this an indication of laziness or lack of creativity, merely a marker that the band’s songwriting still operates within a cocoon of personal comfort, one from which I know they will emerge even stronger. Really my only gripe with Marcescence is that it’s not longer; the EP is a heterogeneous yet intensely cohesive taste of what the duo has to offer.
Karmella have stormed into the scene in a time when it is perhaps at its most saturated, and yet carved out a niche through some fresh and meaningful tracks, a testament to the care and heart that has so clearly been poured into this record. Marcescence is a mature, thoughtful, and deeply textured record that would be the magnum opus of many a band yet is just the start of Karmella’s journey. It will undoubtedly leave many waiting with bated breath for what comes next.
Marcescence is set for independent release this Friday, October 14th, and you can pre-save it here.
8.5/10