Fifth studio full length 'New Junk Aesthetic' sees Every Time I Die continue in their efforts, their popularity increasing with each successive release. Distortion inaugurates opening cut "Roman Holiday", and drumming subsequently introduces the number. Albeit not excessively slow, "Roman Holiday" is more mid paced. Nothing elsewhere approaches its slower tempo, although when compared to other songs on the album, "Turtles All the Way Down" also opts towards a less rapid demeanour. Concluded by distortion, "Roman Holiday" wasn't a wise choice of opening cut. "Roman Holiday" doesn't showcase Every Time I Die's full potential, and could discourage newer listeners from listening past that specific song. A pacier tune would've been a much greater choice, and that pacier tune actually arrives in the form of second track "The Marvelous Slut". Clocking in at a mere 1:43 in length, the song's lightning speed better displays Every Time I Die's strength and influences, the group's influences being rooted in hardcore / punk. Fellow tracks, such as "Who Invited the Russian Soldier" and "For the Record", largely maintain this pace.
"Wanderlust", meanwhile, exhibits the group's more commercial leanings. Favouring capably clean vocals from singer Keith Buckley, the song is likely a future single, and rightly so. Midway into "Wanderlust", the tempo halts somewhat, and that slightly accentuates the riffing. This prompts additional headbanging, and particularly past the song's three minute mark, Buckley's vocals prove quite hooky. "White Smoke" takes its cue from "Wanderlust" in the sense that its tempo too halts, occurring in this case past the 2:20 mark. Unfortunately however, later tracks like "Organ Grinder", "Host Disorder" and "The Sweet Life" just pass the listener by, and fail to make an overwhelming impression.
Throughout 'New Junk Aesthetic', Keith Buckley maintains his vocal intensity. Mainly screaming, the man's words are still nonetheless coherent. His vocals arguably anchor most songs, whether they be "Wanderlust", "For the Record", or "White Smoke". As is the case with hardcore influenced material, the overall structure within the album's songs is mostly basic. Nonetheless, the songs are palatable, with incomplex riffs playing a valuable role.
'New Junk Aesthetic' will please those who've enjoyed Every Time I Die's live performances, though will fail to win new fans. However, the group's live ambience hasn't fully translated onto the album, but the full length's songs will still better translate live. Witness Every Time I Die in live performance, and come to your own conclusions. If you like what you hear, then 'New Junk Aesthetic' is as good a place to start as any.
Reviewed by Robert Gray
