Raising dust

New Forms - "As Dust Collects"
Label: Zegema Beach Records

My first reaction: "Fuck, this is intense!"

Dave Norman of Zegema Beach Records is enthusiastic about all of their in-house-releases -which definitely is a good thing- but when he  hypes a record, you just know it's justified. Like with this one here, which he calls a contender for "Screamo record of the year".

NEW FORMS already released a promising EP back in 2019 and then got through some line-up changes. In 2023 they're back with their debut album. It's 12 tracks clocking in at 15 minutes and as you might suggest not one moment is wasted here. The collective out of Boston, MA plays frantic, tight and technical Emoviolence, that gets moody in small parts of this unforgiving ride. If you're into acts like NUVOLASCURA, BLIND GIRLS, YOUTH FUNERAL (their former bass player is with them) or AMPERE and early LOMA PRIETA, you'll get into this in no time. 

NEW FORMS, however, are not as break-y as some of these bands are, and the melodic guitar is always there to back it up. Their new shouter Mary is a perfect fit, as she adds even more urgency to their sound. Overall, "As Dust Collects" is 15 minutes of  Screamo/Emoviolence-intensity, that walks the thin line between technical precision and overflowing emotions. While I'm not sure about "Screamo record of the year", NEW FORMS' debut album is definitely among this year's genre highlights!

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