“Devotion carved in my pain.”
Two years since their debut full-length, So Much Hope, Buried. returns for their sophomore effort, Wither | Grow. The band left a lasting impression on me with their piano-driven atmospheric rock sound, which I found to be particularly well executed on their first album, I’d Be Lying To Say I’m Not Weak. They have a hauntingly emotional way of conveying emotion, with moments of heavy catharsis breaking through the otherwise tranquil soundscapes that they craft. Consisting of vocalist-keyboardist Derek Nowak, guitarist-vocalist Andrew Blank, drummer Eric Novroski, and bassist Gavin Jacobs, the seek to further their sound on Wither | Grow.
The gentle and soothing piano and clean guitar notes supported by a simple-yet-effective drum groove from Novroski makes for a wistful and delicate start to the album with opener “Fever Bloom”. Building into the chorus, Novak’s soaring vocals captivate as the track opens into a beautiful soundscape of ambience. Something that has remained consistent from the last album is the impressive amount of detail in each track, and it’s displayed effectively here. The band display their rock ballad sound effectively once again for an excellent first taste of the album to come.
Where the band leans into their post-hardcore roots, there’s a delicate balance of the intensity of the songs, pushing for a heavier edge with an intentional amount of restraint. On “Falter”, the heavier instrumentation makes itself known with an energetic display from Blank and Novroski. Something this band has always excelled at is making the most of a stripped back soundscape, especially on the verses. Here, the focus on the clean guitar leads and piano notes goes a long way in eliciting a feeling of longing. Every build feels natural as Novroski and Jacobs join the fray in bringing up the intensity for the chorus. There’s an unmistakably cathartic release as Novak’s poignant vocals usher in the chorus. Moments of post-hardcore aggression come throughout the track in the form of dissonance-laced riffing, particularly at the end of the first chorus and in the bridge. They bring a satisfying juxtaposition to the otherwise melancholic nature of the track. Ending in a cloud of heavy ambience, the track ends on an impactful note.
The intro of “Paper Thin” once again pulls off the contrast between gentleness and heaviness with a delicate keyboard melody atop a charged, post-hardcore background. The track very much carries an emo-tinged post hardcore sound, with Novak belting impressively on the chorus. In lamentation of personal failure, the emotional vulnerability that So Much Hope, Buried. bring is undeniably on full display. The track’s bridge features a punchy lead section from Blank that erupts into yet another explosion of ambience; a trick this band does all too well. There’s a poignant point of reflection in the tracks ending, concluding that there is “beauty in paper thin.”
“Drowning In The Dark” takes a darker twist. Even in its mostly melancholic intro, subtle chord changes create a sense of mystery and suspense. The mellow first verse acts as a cover for the coming descent, as pummelling guitar chugs burst onto the soundscape. One of the heavier tracks So Much Hope, Buried. has pulled off thus far, it doesn’t fully depart from their core sound. Yet, it manages to push the boundaries just enough to become a welcome change in pace for the album as it delves its deepest into despair. The track’s breakdown takes an almost blackened twist with chaotic, syncopated harmonic chugs and blast beats as it fully descends into the depths. There’s something to be said about how impactfully heavy this track manages to be, especially in the absence of screamed vocals. While some may argue that harsher vocals may add more to the band’s sound, I see no sense in pushing for that aspect. If anything, the band arguably stands out more with this contrast. “Drowning In The Dark” is ominous and haunting in all the best ways and is a definite standout track on the album.
The longest track on the album, “Spare Another Day” takes influence from modern metalcore in its guitar work, particularly in its intro with its heavy, reverb-laden riffs. Elements of post rock also make themselves apparent in the ambient layers of the track, subtly adding to the hazy atmosphere of the track. The blending of different influences and styles is done intriguingly, employing heavier elements into the band’s core sound in service of the emotional impact that they hope to achieve. It’s undoubtedly captivating and I find it rather enjoyable to lose myself in the host of heavy atmospheres.
Of course, it wouldn’t be a So Much Hope, Buried. album without slower, more subdued moments; the band’s bread and butter. Piano interlude “Respite” leads into “Lament”, a heartfelt and raw display of desperation to God in the face of darkness and depression. There’s a certain vulnerability in the lyrics of the track, laying out sentiments of failure and doubt with no holds barred. Sonically, the track takes a much more piano-driven sound, with Novroski’s accompaniment on the drums being the most noticeable other element for most of the track. Even when the guitars come in, there is no explosive climax, instead opting for a gentle step up in intensity.
“Heaven Knows” waltzes in with its 6/8 time signature, creating an unmistakably swaying rhythm that perfectly fits the bittersweet nature of the track. There’s a certain pop-inspired character that this track carries that fits it perfectly, from its simple structure to its repeated melodies. It’s still packed with detail like the rest of the album, just in an intentionally simple form that brings a nice contrast to the heavier parts of the album. The track ends on a delightful solo from Blank that really seals the whole package.
The album’s penultimate track, “In Hindsight” sees Blank and Novak both contributing to the vocals, and the contrast between their vocal dynamics is definitely a welcome addition to the album. The track builds gradually in intensity, both instrumentally and vocally. The track takes an unexpected twist as saxophones join the fray in the middle of the track, briefly halting the track’s buildup before contributing to it. The saxophone melodies make up the bridge of the track, making for a different, yet welcome climax for the track.
The album closes on “Forever In Echo”. There’s a certain sense of acceptance that comes with the song’s lyrics, reflecting on the fleetingness of this life and learning to find the meaning in suffering. It’s undoubtedly intentional that the album ends on this note, as it concludes in making sense of the themes of suffering and pain explored throughout the record. Sonically, it takes on a more straightforward, piano-rock ballad approach, which makes sense for the themes of acceptance and growth. Interestingly, the album flows in a way that its most intense tracks and positioned near the start, winding down towards the end. It’s a choice that reflects the journey that the album takes and it creates for a satisfying experience.
On their second album, So Much Hope, Buried. display a marked improvement in the execution of their sound. Wither | Grow is a record that flows with intentionality and emotional resonance. It’s a gamble for a band to go for a longer album in the current landscape, but I can definitely say that the 40 minutes this album comes to is worth the time. So Much Hope, Buried.’s sound is undoubtedly niche, taking a gentler approach to a sound that is normally heavier, but it is nonetheless impactful and emotional in its own unique way. Boldly offering something different from their contemporaries and wearing their hearts on their sleeves, So Much Hope, Buried. display an album of realised potential with Wither | Grow.
