ALBUM REVIEW: E.R.I.E. tackle “the lows” on new ep
*This review originally appeared in our December print issue.*
Photo by Jarron Childs
“while we may be slogging through the lows of our realities, E.R.I.E. uses their uptempo electric guitar riffs and pounding drums to remind us of the most important message: we are not alone in our thoughts.”
Positioned as the middle child in their triad-style EP release, E.R.I.E. presents new record, the lows, as part of their series The Highs, The Lows, and Everything In Between, with THE HIGHS having been released in late September. On visuals alone, this record presents a change from the previous: all caps song titles have become completely lowercase and the picture of a crowded bar has been replaced with an image of the once beloved Saratoga Winners burning down. However, don’t let the artistic choices fool you: these four tracks are anything but low.
The first track “battlescars” kicks off the record with high energy electric guitar and pulsing drums, setting lead singer TJ Foster up for a rousing, fist-pumping chorus. The group experiments with some softer backing vocals in the chorus, but really takes advantage of them during the bridge and final chorus, adding harmonic nuance to their punk rock sound.
The pulsing energy continues in the next three tracks, “it’s nepotism, baby!,” “good time” and “burn out,” with some creative variations throughout. For instance, “it’s nepotism, baby!” plays with tempo in a way that reflects the emotions found in the lyrics, speeding up to reflect anger and slowing down to reflect doubt or thoughtfulness. It’s intentional moves like these that E.R.I.E. has traditionally excelled at, pushing their music beyond the one-dimensional and into a place of complexity and analysis.
The penultimate track, “good time,” is by far the stand out from a stylistic perspective, opting for a choppier, darker sound to accompany the radio-static vocals. Again, the universe of sound created is a perfect match for lyrics that, here, ring cynical and sadly true, beginning with “Congratulations, you’re a viral sensation, with nowhere to go now but down...” It is within these lyrics that you can clearly see “the lows” referenced in the title as the band grapples with concepts of capitalism in the music industry and replacing simpler older days with shiny, scary new ones.
These worries are encapsulated perfectly within the final track, “burn out,” which feels oddly comforting for a song that honestly discusses fears of dreams deferred for far too long. Perhaps it’s the warm harmonies in the chorus, perhaps it’s the catchy riffs, or perhaps it’s the fact that E.R.I.E. is unafraid to admit what we’re all thinking inside with lines like, “I’m trying to find out if all that we know is a lie / and every mantra was told just to keep us alive.” Regardless of the source, there still feels like a little bit of hope in this song for better days ahead.
In the end, while we may be slogging through the lows of our realities, E.R.I.E. uses their uptempo electric guitar riffs and pounding drums to remind us of the most important message: we are not alone in our thoughts. In fact, we’re all secretly spiraling about wasted youth, capitalism, and the passage of time…pretty heavy, am I right? Now, rather than feeling these immense lows alone, why not turn on this record and sing along to a great rock song about it instead?
the lows, and its predecessor THE HIGHS, are out now on all major streaming platforms and on bandcamp via Mint 400 Records. The group’s final EP, “…And Everything in Between", is due out early next year.