At a loss for words

Hedonic - the other side of childhood
Label: BSDJ

Being a heavy user of music and someone who habitually tries to stay updated with everything that's going on, the dynamics of discovering a new record and developing a relationship with it, is kinda strange at times. First, there are expectations and no expectations. Chances are, that a record that comes with a high expectation on my side, won't succeed in my perception, at least not as much as I'd like to. Then there are artists that are new to me. Naturally that doesn't allow me to build any expectations in advance, hence it's a plus for those artists' records. Still, "our" relationship can turn out multiple ways. First, there are records that won't click no matter how hard I try. They may come out on one of my favourite labels and may've already received warm words by people I respect... so, I say to myself "I gotta like that record". I try and I try, but I just can't lie to myself and will never love it as much as others do. Then there are those records I immediately like for a special reason or two. Let's say a record with a cool production and the band's songwriting is akin to that of FUGAZI and full of details and stuff. It's something challenging, something to sink your teeth into. And I'll bite like fuck! Though, it somehow doesn't get over a specific point of enthusiasm on my part. Maybe the songwriting is a bit too sophisticated, when I always was a sucker for hooks. The antithesis to that kind of record is the "grower". A record I find interesting on first glance and maybe I promptly get into one of the songs after a playthrough or two. Spin, after spin, I learn to love more and more details about the record and eventually it get's past the point of total fascination. Eventually it doesn't. One HC-record I just discovered a few weeks ago drew me in with its exotic, outlandish nature and it's still something that I like. But after playing it for the fifth or sixth time, I realized that I couldn't get into that many songs. There are those two or three songs I totally dig, but most of the time the songwriting feels pointless and on top the album is just one song after another and misses that vibe of a good, coherent album. That kind of record probably is "the record of missed opportunites".

For sure, there's also those records that I fall in love with at first sight and that still seem to hold up many, many spins later. It's definitely the rarest case, but maybe one or two times a year I discover a special record like this. A record like HEDONIC's debut EP "other side of childhood". The two-piece out of Apple Valley, California has something that resonates deeply with me. While they may not sound exactly the same, they give me a similar vibe as SAETIA or MERCHANT SHIPS did a long time ago. In terms of sincerity and intensity those bands are definitely up their alley. 

You could throw them in the big pool of Screamo or screamy Emo-bands, though the way they compose their music makes them something truly unique. So, where should I start? It's hard to write about a record that puts you into a loss for words. For once, I like all their different sites to their music. From the reduced, touching Emo-harmonies to the heartwrenching, screamy parts to the fast, thrashy and noisy parts to the killer breakdowns to hopeful and catchy melodies throw in. It's breathtaking stuff. Even if it might sound silly, but I don't see them as a standard Screamo or Emo-band. On purpose or not, but they also seem to take something from the 2000s-Post-Hardcore-era or the melodic Metalcore from the same time period. The guitars are downright moshy and play tons of chugs in most of the songs. On top, you'll get lots of "classic" hooks. Add the double-bass, intensifying my strange feelings about the record. At times, HEDONIC remind me of early POISON THE WELL, in a weird kind of way. In the next moment they remind me of a quirky Level Plane-band like FORSTELLA FORD. But that's something that I totally appreciate. The songs rock like hell and the original clash of styles makes it one of the freshest things I've heard in a long time.

I could go on, but probably wouldn't do this record enough justice. One thing I'd like to add is the guitar work, that is pure magic in its wide range. The guy can't do no wrong. Yet, the drumming is fucking tight too and something else, with all the cymbal love and a similar range, from sensitive accentuated to absolutely powerful parts. HEDONIC were searching for a bass player, and as it seems they've found one now. I'm happy for them, though I hope that move won't kill the chemistry between the two. Instead of taking this duo-thingy as an excuse they turned it into a trademark on "other side of childhood". 

Any meaningful last words? Damn, fuck off! I was struggling the whole shitty review and it took me forever. "other side of childhood" is basically the essence of what I love about Punk music. Thanks to all the guys producing this piece and thanks to BSDJ for giving it a worthy platform.

HEDONIC on Bandcamp
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