“I heard your name, and it’s nothing but a dream again.”
On their sophomore album, All You Embrace, Wilkes-Barre’s One Step Closer seek to make their own definition of the hardcore genre. Pulling influences from emo and alternative rock, the band’s sound sits in the space of this sonic Venn diagram. Comprising of vocalist Ryan Savitski and guitarists Ross Thompson and Colman O’Brien, the hardcore outfit seek to make their vision come to life.
Right from the get go, album opener “Color You” launches into a familiar hardcore style, with Savitski’s yell-screams bringing a strong start. Slowing things down for the chorus, the change in tempo brings a nice switch in pace from its verses. Following track “Leap Years” displays the band’s emo influences with a brazen confidence, brimming with nostalgia with a timeless style. The guitar work from Thompson and O’Brien is nothing short of impressive, filling the power chord chugging with an abundance of tasteful lead lines.
“Blur My Memory” swings more in a melodic hardcore direction with ease, taking on a slightly more aggressive sound. It’s rather impressive that One Step Closer is able to tie all these styles together so naturally and cohesively, giving the album range without making it disjointed. The energy these tracks bring is infectious, making for a satisfying take on a classic style.
This successful blend in styles does lead to a rather uniform sound for the album, but monotony isn’t something it struggles with. The record’s tracklist is quite intentionally paced, pulling away from the action for more mellow sounds where needed. Mid-album cut “Esruc” leans more in a melancholic direction, creating an impactful ambience that lends to its emotion. Hitting with a certain sense of 2000s emo, the track definitely pays homage to the band’s influences admirably. “The Gate” opts for a slower, alt rock sound, giving the album a needed break in its otherwise energetic nature.
As mentioned earlier, there is an unmistakable nostalgia to the album, with its combination of throwback sounds. The manner in which this is done doesn’t feel forced or overdone, with the band’s approach feeling authentic and genuine. These reminiscent themes are reflected not only sonically but also lyrically, with moments of introspection and honesty hidden behind a decidedly more light hearted approach.
There’s something refreshing in the way that All You Embrace doesn’t try to be anything that it isn’t. Presenting themselves as they are, One Step Closer have crafted something that is true to themselves, and it’s a great deal of fun to listen to. One might argue that this style isn’t anything new, but there’s something to appreciate about how straightforward this approach is. All in all, All You Embrace is an album that doesn’t take itself too seriously, presenting itself with an unfeigned sincerity.
8/10
All You Embrace releases on the 17th of May via Run For Cover Records. Pre-order and merch links for the album can be found here.