Review: Aspartame - ep

Label: Larry Records

This four-piece out of Brooklyn, New York just debuted last year with a song on the "NYSCREAM"-compilation. Now they follow up with this nameless 3-Song-EP. And what the heck should I tell you, but, this is some of the most impressive Emotional Hardcore I've heard in a long time. These youngens took everything I love about this style and put it onto their record. You get the sensitive and yearning melodies aswell as the crushing burstouts, you get the spoken words exactly as you get your rough, high pitched screams, you get the mournful build-ups just like you get well placed hooks.

What I loved about ASPARTAME right away was their use of different vocal styles. They have the benefit of having a female voice in Etta, who can sing some beautiful harmonies. But still, they don't rely on that, instead they mix the contrasting Boy/Girl-vocals in a clever way. Opener "Conservation Effort" is a shining example as the interplay between the two voices is done to perfection. The second thing about ASPARTAME, that truly stands out to me, is their strong rhythmic nature. That's something I always liked about YAPHET KOTTO. It was a unique characteristic and gave the songs a kick-ass-factor besides all the emo-ish stuff that was going on. The New Yorkers just act like that.

Besides that the first reference that came to my mind was MERCHANT SHIPS. Akin to them ASPARTAME settle right between the more sensitive Midwest-Emo-style and the loud intensity of Screamo. In addition they seem to have the same genius and dedication to their music. Sure, you could obviously put this in the Mid-90ies-Emo-category of INDIAN SUMMER, STILL LIFE and I HATE MYSELF. That's something that definitely works, aswell as comparing a few of their traits to more edgy Indie-Emo-outfits of the 90s, namely BOYS LIFE or BOILERMAKER.

When the namedropping's done I gotta admit, that these 11 minutes are pretty much flawless. On top of everything I like the production. It's raw but not thin, nor does it feel contrived. It feels like it's straight from the heart and delivers tons of authencity. In that special kind of style it probably won't get any better in 2021, so do yourself a favour and check ASPARTAME's debut...

Rating: 8 out of 10

Aspartame on Bandcamp
Aspartame on Instagram