Scowl – Are We All Angels
Despite some undeniably massive moments, it seems like the bite has been taken out of Californian hardcore lot Scowl on their new album
Emerging from a resurgent Californian hardcore scene, Scowl have been impressing audiences since their incendiary debut, 2021's How Flowers Grow. Musically, they were a fun throwback to thrashy influences of the 80s and 90s, while vocalist Kat Moss's snarl and charisma gave the band a distinct focal point on stage. Even in those earlier days, however, Scowl displayed a prowess for poppier melodies, a technique they would develop expertly on 2023 EP Psychotic Dance Routine.
The timing was perfect – 2021 was a breakout year for the genre, thanks to Turnstile's massive crossover success Glow On. Scowl have been taking notes, as their follow-up full-length Are We All Angels utilises the ultra-compressed pop sheen that saw Turnstile break the mainstream. Unfortunately for Scowl, this has mixed results.
Things start promisingly on opener Special, with the equally rip-roaring Fantasy shortly after. The problems emerge in the album's latter half, starting from the latest single Tonight, which feels sadly very safe and leads to songs that wouldn't feel out of place on an early 2000s generic pop-punk album. Later, Suffer the Fool (How High Are You?) brings an undeniably massive hook, but disappointingly, a bit too much bite has been taken out of Scowl.
Listen to: Special, Fantasy, Suffer the Fool (How High Are You?)