ALBUM REVIEW: Arrow Through Me Make Their Case For The Emo Resurgence
*This review originally appeared in our March 2025 issue*
Photo by Robbie Lewis
“One of the most impressive things about Arrow Through Me is their ability to pull off powerful and emotive choruses without ever gratuitously increasing the volume.”
“It’s not a phase, mom!” has become a running joke amongst elder-millennials, revelling in the modern resurgence of emo and pop-punk. The genres of course had their glory days back in the early 2000s with bands like Fall Out Boy, Sum 41 and Paramore defining mix CDs and MySpace pages alike. Running joke or not, there is truth to it: look no further than the countless festivals and tribute nights that have popped up over the last few years dedicated to nothing but our precious little, mascara-smeared genre.
Here in the Capital Region, much like it was back in the early-aughts, it doesn’t really feel like the “cool” genre. You certainly don’t hear a lot about local bands making music in that realm, but I assure you they’re out there kickin’ ass. And mark my words, Arrow Through Me are about to become every local millennial’s favorite new local band.
Ephemera marks the quintet’s debut EP, and it packs so much “scene” nostalgia into just five songs, it’s honestly impressive as hell. Vocally, Grace Schifferdecker is a revelation. A lesser reviewer than myself would make an obvious comparison to a young Hayley Williams, but I’m not going to do that. (I might’ve just done that) The way she carries her voice through each of these songs commands your attention in the best way; she’s an absolute star in the making.
Guitarists Daeron Bennett and Mikey Pace are also having a whole lot of fun throughout, weaving ambient riffs in and out of one another in an almost Circa Survive-esque manner. “Pretend” is especially striking, but there are intricate flairs happening in the background of every song guitar wise, you’re going to want to give them repeat listens in headphones for that alone.
That song in particular also has the strongest hook in the bunch: “What else can I do to make you stay?” If only AIM was still a thing, because if that’s not meant for a teenager’s away message, I don’t know what is. (Really showing my age with that reference…)
One of the most impressive things about Arrow Through Me is their ability to pull off powerful and emotive choruses without ever gratuitously increasing the volume. Sure, distortion pedals are clicked on, but it’s all done so tastefully, you’d think they’ve been making music together for ages.
“Mourning After” is a perfect example of this, with Schifferdecker’s vocal melodies gradually climbing in the verses before quite literally bending a note up into her higher range in order to try and seize control of the chorus. Spoiler alert: she does.
But the absolute knockout of the bunch is the song “Patterns”, which comes smack dab in the middle of the sequencing. “Breaking patterns is part of the problem,” goes the chorus, and it’s a melody that begs for an audience to echo loud and proud. 10/10. No notes.
So, perhaps I’m beating a dead emo horse here, but if you’re of the ilk that longs for the days of screaming “Misery Business” into a hairbrush in front of your bedroom mirror, Arrow Through Me will become a staple in your musical rotation. With soaring melodies, intricate musicianship and hooks for days, Ephemera marks the beginning of what’s sure to be an exciting trajectory. Don’t sleep on this one.
Ephemera is available now on all streaming platforms.
