Old State – The Debut ‘Leaving Home’ EP.

Old State – St. Louis, Missouri, USA.

Musically Fresh first encountered Old State upon our frequent travels in and among the many, many, many,many… many groups that were involved on Facebook. Groups that we post in about our humble fast, growing, and fledgling website. The purpose of which is to get real music to the ears of the masses and scout for bands to review.

A quick note about the band’s sound before we continue. Describing themselves as ‘Aggressive Sadcore’, Old State, to break things down, collectively produce a mix of the faster and heavier end of Pop-Punk, with slight elements of Post-Hardcore and Alternative Rock. Which is No surprise really with these influences:

‘Citizen, Turnover, Title Fight, Brand New, The Used, Basement, Have Mercy, Seahaven, Balance and Composure’

Immediate similarities from my own ear recollection suggest fans of Polar Bear Club will enjoy Old State as PBC’s Pop-Punk/Post-Hardcore rumble also sits in this upbeat yet also downbeat, emotionally expressive pool.

The debut Leaving Home EP was released on the 14th October this year and judging by some of the fan posts on the band’s wall, it has been well received.

\\Leaving Home//

‘Missingno (1 in 256)’ kicks off with a slow build up, half preparing you for a mid-to-slow paced number, before kicking off at full pelt in almost Melodic Hardcore fashion, accompanied with gritty strained vocals that suit the harder edge of the music. Vocal-wise, the aforementioned style is on the more melodic side of the band’s output, as in the latter slower sections, a much harder scream plays us out over melodic guitars.

Track two approaches the band’s slower side, the strained (in a positive manner) vocals are still prominent, but the pace is slowed in the vein of the more Alternative Rock tracks that often serve as the slower numbers on a Pop Punk release. The shortest on the EP, ‘Leaving Home’ is a solid title track.

Jagged guitar work leading to a bouncy, and in many ways, classic Pop-Punk bassline and we have track three. Somewhat standard of the genre, number three doesn’t stand out quite as much, but that said, it works and certainly isn’t a bad number. The faster sections are well executed and the chop and change of such with the down tempo sections highlight the band’s influences. Ending with the said slower sections, it leads in to track four well, changing pace once more.

Slower in its entirety, the band would do well (and I’m sure they have) to place this behind and indeed before a faster number when playing live. Chilled out, its certainly full length material in regard to the composition, as it balances well with the aforementioned up tempo numbers. Enough jargon; it works.

‘Struggling with my doubts, how will things turn out?’

Track five closes and is by far the best track on the release, why would the EP end with anything else? More on the Post-Hardcore side with a solid ‘rock like’ solo. Five is slow paced, with a welcome medium pace in the middle and end, five is far more intense than my description gives it credit. Lyrically, it struck me on a personal level, we all try to hide things, in particular emotions and weakness; it is the Human condition. However, sometimes it can be overwhelming. I shall say no more.

‘Put, my head against my hands and hope no nobody sees – gotta get awaaaayyyyy! Disappear into those around meeee, feel free to take my focus and energy’

There we have it, the first release by St. Louis own, Old State. Slightly new take on the sound, good EP structure, solid five tracks. MF has no real criticisms. Personally I’d like to see more faster and heavier elements thrown in to amplify the intensity in places but as stated above, this is by no means a complaint, but a request for more!

We look forward to see where Old State will go next and you should too.

Find all things Old State below:

• Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for updates.
• For Leaving Home head to bandcamp.

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