If I Die First's brand of modern screamo is a rare gem hidden in the dirt, at least for me. Their ability to blend so many elements together with so much ease and to create quality listening experiences that pack so much in so little time is unparalleled. Coming off of the Split EP with SeeYouSpaceCowboy..., My Nightmares Would Do Numbers As Horror Movies stands out as the best track on their half and one of the better tracks in their entire discography.
I've always found their fusion of styles very enticing, coming from a supergroup of sorts. Musicians with various backgrounds in emo trap, post-hardcore and metal combining their expertises to create such a diverse sound oscillating through all the styles effortlessly. Throughout this song, they toggle between two distinct sounds, one softer and one heavier, independent of the vocals. Softer sections featuring acoustic fingerstyle-esque riffs and electronics-focused percussion, heavier sections featuring metal drumming techniques and modern metalcore riffing and tapping, with some occasional blend and overlap.
For a band with four vocalists, it's interesting how they manage to cohesively utilise everyone in their songs. Uncleans and cleans rapidly switch each other out and occasionally layer each other or go into a call-and-response type beat, but never in an awkward or jarring way. All of their vocals are unique enough to stand out from each other, whether it be Lil Lotus' unique emo-tinged cleans and uncleans, Lil Zubin's high cleans or Travis' guttural lows. The drumming and guitarwork feels like a modern take on screamo fused with modern metalcore and post-hardcore, and there's just so much to love about the dynamic and genre mix.
As per classic emo and screamo songs, lyrical themes of love and dramatic metaphors accompanied by long song titles that may or may not be related to the song itself run common in their discography, and this is no exception. Catchy lines and hooks make most of their songs memorable and this song has plenty throughout, and even a minor nod to their first EP My Poison Arms.
If I Die First's catalogue is impressive, no doubt, but I personally think this song is their peak as of right now. Every element of their band is so well written here and there's no feeling of untapped potential, the vocal dynamics are excellent and the instrumentals are so well designed. Where some of their other songs fall short in feeling incomplete, rushed or slightly chaotic, My Nightmares Would Do Numbers As Horror Movies stands mighty as nigh perfect.
Rating: 5/5
"A Sure Disaster" EP cover