Review by Sarah Spohn
Southern California quartet Movements released their full-length debut album, Feel Something, via Fearless Records on Oct. 20. The post-hardcore/emo band is made up of Patrick Miranda (vocals), Ira George (guitar), Spencer York (drums) and Austin Cressey (bass).
The 11-track record has a theme of emotions, some coming full-circle: and the majority of themes are not the lightest. Heavy topics include depression, anxiety, abuse, and even Alzheimer’s. This album is far from the poppy punk ways about not wanting to settle down or grow up. Lead vocalist Patrick spoke about the record’s inspiration. If you’re a fan of ‘sad, loud music’ like Real Friends or Turnover, you’ll dig Movements, who are touring with Knuckle Puck this fall.
“We want our listeners to hear our music and feel something deeper than the everyday run-of-the-mill emotions,” exclaims Patrick. “We want our listeners to know that no matter what they’re going through there’s someone out there who understands. We want them to know they aren’t alone in their struggles, and no one should have to suffer alone. We don’t care if our music makes you feel sad, happy, angry, confused, or anything in between. All we care about is that it makes you Feel Something.”
Previous efforts from the group have landed the So-Cal band immortally inked in issues of Alternative Press, with their songs accruing over 800K Spotify streams. Feel Something began recording in February 2017, and was produced and engineered by Will Yip (Tigers Jaw, Title Fight, Turnover, Citizen).
The first single from the record, “Colorblind,” is a reference to the lead singer’s colorblindness as a metaphor for a lack of follow-through in relationships. Maybe it’s just a color II can’t see or maybe it’s not meant for me / Is it all of the above / See that’s the funny thing about love / It’s never been a friend to me, just an artificial enemy
“Full Circle” relays a sense of anxious feelings to the listener. It’s a theme many can relate to all too well. It comes in waves and I’m pulled below. It’s not subjective, it’s clinical / Drown myself in the undertow / Of all my imbalanced chemicals / And the cycle comes full circle again.
After the chorus comes a spoken-word part in the same vein of Twenty One Pilots. It’s a fresh-sounding feel to an otherwise traditional rock track.
“Deadly Dull” has a subject manner that most other bands dare not explore. Movements is all about getting listeners to feel, and this track is definitely set to give you “all the feels,” as the kids say.
It’s about Alzheimer’s disease, direct from a firsthand experience, according to frontman Patrick. His girlfriend’s grandpa has the disease, and constantly forgets that his wife has passed away. Talk about heartbreak – over and over. “He keeps asking to see her,” Patrick said. “The family tells him that she’s gone, because he doesn’t remember. That crushes me. Every time, he gets sad, cries, goes outside, and sits on the back porch and doesn’t talk to anybody. He goes to bed, it’s all erased, and he wakes up with the same questions. I wanted to tell that story.”
The record’s not all gloom and doom though, a ‘light at the end of the tunnel’ track, “Daylily” brightens up the mood. You are the rustling of leaves / You are that honeysuckle breeze / You are the sunlight / Shine onto me.
Feel Something rings successful as a record because there’s no way listening will leave you un-phased. Emotions of the past, present and future will inevitably pop up during this post-hardcore/emo album. With a polished rock sound, and a contrasting spoken-word element, Movements is clearly continuing on its path of bettering themselves as musicians and storytellers.
Filed under: Reviews Tagged: album review, emo, fearless records, feel something, movements, post-hardcore
