Boston Post Hardcore Emo punks, Pretty Out, are back with their newest EP, a follow-up to their previous record, No Good, All Worries. Continuing with the same emo sounds, their newest record, Misery Seed, comprises four well-crafted songs for a genre whose legacy can sometimes get muddled with specific eras and tonal shifts. While the songs don’t break the mold of either era of Emo, Pretty Out has a strong hold on the genre as a whole and clearly shows reverence for it.
Opening with “Underside Of Your Head,” Pretty Out starts strong with a song about trying to find the good in the world, but eventually, it will wear you down, likening the resentment to a misery seed that will grow inside of you like a weed if left unattended. Whether this is written about one person in particular or society, the sentiment is the same either way. “Pay No Mind” is a more upbeat venture that expands upon the opening track’s theme of being let down by people, even if the guitars are brighter.
“Knife to a Flame (From Here I See the Decline)” and “Liquid Zoo” bring down the tempo while keeping the energy. There are plenty of moments where each instrument gets its own little tangent, whether it be a bass intro, guitar riff, or drum fill. The way this album utilizes the energy it creates is a balancing act, and these last two tracks are a good yin to the first two’s yang.
This record is damn good. Toe-tapping emo that doesn’t cry its feelings, but does present them in a less aggressive tone. While it cycles through the tropes of the genre, it does them well. The album’s four songs have a runtime of fourteen minutes, but they’re never boring and are well-arranged. Pretty Out has done their homework, and it shows. Meditative in spots with thought-provoking lyrics, Misery Seed will leave you wanting more songs.