Upside Down – ‘Scars Are Forever’.
Upside Down – Madrid, Spain.
For our previous work on the band – Click Here.
Within the context of the global underground music scene, Pop-Punk and its resurgence has moved past its initial explosion and settled into a steady rate of growth better than any economy. This is where the Madrid four-piece Upside Down come as they present their latest release and its contribution to both this and the also rapidly growing Spanish Pop-Punk scene.
Scars Are Forever opens with a soft-dulcet intro reminiscent of Jimmy Eat World before the faint distanced vocals exclaim ‘hope is worth it’ affirming that Pop-Punk is indeed incoming. ‘Don’t Give Up On Hope’ is very much the jagged Pop-Punk influenced Pop-Rock ballad designed to break in an album likely headed for pace and gratuitous melody.
‘Do I Still Miss You’ was the lead single for this debut full-length and as a track balances darker-Pop-Punk angst with a chorus oh-so classic of the 90’s and the genre golden age. ‘Back To Reality’ introduced itself with the staggered intro so classic of the contemporary scene where its all about the verse. But is it? The chorus of this third track is again very classic of the genre, the word classic becoming classic in itself as I am using it quite often to describe Upside Down. Classic me.
‘Good Riddance’ was another track given an early release and actually marks itself as one of the best on the release in its ode to the roots of Pop-Punk with light and fast Skate Punk rhythms. ‘Addicted’ could have been on a mid-2000’s Pop-Punk/Emo-Pop release when rumbling drums and weighted guitars accompanied vocal melodies that seemingly went on indefinitely. ‘Addicted’ breaks up Scars Are Forever really very well before the appropriate titled ‘Gloom’ carries more infectious cathartic melodies.
‘Red Letter Days’ again quite strategically cuts the pace again in another jagged Pop-Rock song in testament to the well-ordered track-list and flow of the release.
‘Self-Destruction’ channels times-past again with another jagged and driven intro. Scars Are Forever is very well produced and clean-cut but in part of the production and the actual music penned by the band themselves carries enough grit in these faster more “traditional” songs that it contrasts with the melodies and slower Pop-Rock-led material.
‘Heaven On Earth’ is very New Found Glory and that’s probably the best compliment I can give within context and in a complete surprise, is followed by the dual-vocal acoustic ballad turned crooning Rock-ballad ‘Sixteen (Cold and Alone)’
Upside Down have really pulled it off. See for yourself.
Find them:
- Social Media/Updates: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram.
- Music: bandcamp, Youtube Channel, Spotify.
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