By Juliet Kozlow
Airsickness, an alternative group from Tampa, Florida, have been an incredibly endearing local favorite for several years now. They’ve matured enough in just the past year to make older work pale in comparison- showing what a good team behind the scenes can do to pull out the absolute best from an artist.
Between All The Lies is the ultimate break up EP. Heavy but still maintaining some level of mainstream appeal, energetic lead guitars are backed by bass lines that keep a live crowd and any first time listener on their toes. Opening with “Choking on Flames,” it’s a track that belongs as the first song of a headlining arena band’s set- additionally, it shows the range that the group has developed and just how honest their lyrics have become.
“Faking Smiles” digs into heavier influences, matching careful harmonies to hectic, invigorating guitars and drums. The lead single off of the EP, it’s radio ready, catchy, and a song that feels like it’s living and breathing when it’s performed. The music video matches that energy and okay honestly I have to actually WATCH the video before I can put anything here so hold off on sending this around.
[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jZ2DJucxKpc[/youtube]“Losing My Patience” and “Never Wanted” are birds of the same feather. Both speaking of different phases of a break up, whether when it’s just beginning to be too much or its pining for companionship that’s not from a recent ex; they’re perfect to keep this EP strong from start to finish.
“Darling Sabrina” is as theatrical as a track from hometown heroes Set It Off, but with Airsickness’ unique heavier twist that keeps it from coming off as a homage to them or worse, a copy cat song. This song in particular is my favorite because it pulls me back to the first time I saw it live- they were playing a handful of new songs for the first time and as soon as I heard the track start I was absolutely smitten. It’s a 180 from their previous works production and lyrics wise, using chimes and clever wording to make up an incredible track for a local artist to put out.
Just as fast as one, “Heart Attack” closes out the EP with a bridge fitting of “Anthem Of Our Dying Day'” from Story Of The Year. It’s rousing and a bit emo, but it’s the sort of emo that every twentysomething that loved Taking Back Sunday is going to jam to. Opting not to have any slower songs on this EP was a risky move to take because it doesn’t showcase every aspect of the group, but the pure enjoyability of every song overpowers any worries I have about that.
Relatively young for a band still, Airsickness have the charisma and talent to grow to be old and influential given the right exposure. They’re constantly challenging themselves to put out the best quality material and are growing into a stronger set of musicians with every show and track released.
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