Brave Faces Everyone was this album that I kept seeing in the emo and pop punk scene, especially in year-end lists (particularly topping ARTV's one). I had it saved in my library for a while and never got around to it, but I was always teetering on the edge of diving into it, so I finally did. I had no background on the band, I didn't even really know what genre they were given their name, I just assumed they'd be some kind of alt-rock.
Turns out, I love it. No surprise, something this critically acclaimed has to have something worth it to its name. I just wasn't expecting this unbelievably gutting and confessional strain of emo and punk, one that spoke to me immediately. Fronted by a powerful vocal performance, Brave Faces Everyone is this timely fibre of catharsis, the recent years of global wear and tear on humanity culminating in a passionate, pained album of nihilism and cynicism. Juxtaposed by a seemingly energetic and bright instrumentation, this contrast brings to light the genuine emotions and feelings rooted into this album's identity and soul.
I have to be honest, I cherry pick from this album, there are some cuts that didn't click for me. But, the ones that did click, I love them so much. Routine Pain starts off the album and, let's be honest, it's a straight up banger even if it's the popular one. The chorus has my heart, his vocal performance there is so emotive and pained, it is near impossible to feel something hearing that. The same goes for the end of Beach Front Property, which is a favourite deep cut of mine, the ending as well as the bridge are both such unique moments in this album that I can't help but go back to it.
Spanish Love Songs seems to sit at the crossroads between emo, pop punk and even a little bit of post-hardcore. They're not much for riffs but their chord progression choices are pretty tasteful, and it works very well with the vocals. They definitely have a lot going their way in terms of catchiness, no doubt they have some solid pop sensibilities showing through with most of their choruses. Their lyricism is commendable too, they have some pretty unique lines that intrigued me deeply, like the 'dead dogs' line on Optimism (As a Radical Life Choice) or the slightly perturbing bridge on Kick, and some songs have an almost conversational kind of lyricism to it.
Brave Faces Everyone is definitely an album worth listening to at least once, and a lot more for me. The vocal and instrumental palettes of this song are exquisite, even for pop punk standards, and with the way the world is crumbling, I'm sure the sentiments behind the album will resonate with many, I know it did with me. While No Joy didn't manage to catch my eye as well as this album did, I'm still happy to say that I have listened to Spanish Love Songs and I'm a fan of them.
Rating: 9/10