“Time is a bastard and death is a cure.“
My music taste, in its every changing state, has acquired a new ripple the last couple years in the form of the growing noise pop genre. This came very much on the shoulders of emergent Black Dresses and their glitchy, industrial sound. Despite there being plenty of differences, the band Thotcrime is carving out their spot as a group you need to check out. And what better time than with their new album, D1G1T4L_DR1FT, out this Friday, October 28th?
The vast majority of songs on here are quick listens, with only two tracks longer than 2 minutes. This type of packaging is a boon on the album, however. It allows for this “cybergrind” style they’ve honed to be presented in intense, short bouts of emotion that thoroughly explores one instrumental idea. Take the first two tracks, for example – “This Isn’t a Foundation, Now Give Me Your Skin Please?” and “There Will Come Soft Rains” (Very 2010 metalcore band giving out free CDs to their new album to the Warped Tour line, by the way). They both have a slightly different, yet high energy to them and feel fully fleshed out despite their run times. Then “Rejection Sensitivity Dysphoria” brings out more of a hardstyle sound with an accompanying synth before sending it off with a spacey metal outro. This one might be my favorite cut on the album. All instances of a focus on electronics really make those respective songs stand out. Then, “trust://fall” is more of a standard track, structurally and with respect it it’s sound too, so there’s a bit of everything for people that have a preference.
“Tweet This” leans into the electronic elements present on this record a strong way and it’s a fun one because of that. All of the heavily synth laden tracks feel like they serve as a perfect outlet for the band’s sound. “This is My Breakdown, I get To Pick The Music” continues that momentum with a rave-centric banger of an intro before changing into a heavy section with a slightly off beat guitar pattern and death metal drums. It also features Carson Pace of The Callous Daoboys who is a welcome addition.
The next collection of three tracks is more of the same of what makes D1G1T4L_DR1FT a fun listen. And that’s what it is most at the end of the day, fun. We get more of catchy hooks bolstered by a lot of personality, entertaining, dynamic and varied instrumentals, and solid production. “I Couldn’t End Me, So I’d Like To See You Try” has probably the best vocal melodies across the album’s humble 24 minute run time and that makes for a good closer.
Thotcrime are a bright young group with a great take on cybergrind. There is plenty of room for growth and a refinement of this sound and I’d like to see that at some point. D1G1T4L_DR1FT didn’t necessarily blow me away, but it’s worth checking out and having lots of fun with.
6.5/10
D1G1T4L_DR1FT is out this Friday via Prosthetic Records, and can pre-order the album here.