Red Scare – Release Date: 7/10/20
Earlier this month, Broadway Calls released their fourth album and first for Red Scare, called Sad in the City. Despite it being over seven years since their last full-length came out, it doesn’t sound like they ever took a significant break. Rather, they seem nothing short of revitalized on this record. The first song, “Never Take Us Alive,” opens with the line “If my country collapses, can I crash on your couch?” This really sets the tone for the rest of the album, as many of the lyrics address the chaos and uncertainties of 2020. The song also features a defiant message and a huge chorus, making it an appropriate opening track.
The second entry, “You Gotta Know,” is exceptionally catchy, with big vocal hooks and buzzing power chords. It also has a spacey, instrumental breakdown in the middle that slowly builds in intensity before revisiting the chorus one last time. It then transitions directly into the title track, which begins with a melodic bass lead and lyrics that speak of wealth inequality. It truly describes what it feels like to be persevering through this year and culminates in the following words: “Will we ever get by again? Will we ever get high again? Do you even want to try again?” This song certainly encompasses the overall vibe and it’s fitting that the record is named after it.
“Always on the Run” is a straightforward pop punk song, but the band is able to make it sound fresh and spirited. It also contains a super-catchy vocal melody that’s reminiscent of The Ramones. “Meet Me on the Moon” is a concise love song and another definite highlight. It talks of escapism and dreams of a better reality, and that will likely be highly relatable to a majority of listeners. The album concludes with “Went Dyin’,” a slower, atmospheric entry that employs unconventional rhythms to create a unique style. Its words acknowledge all the negativity in today’s world, but refuse to give in and allow it to be a defining characteristic. Without question, conveying a resilient message such as this is a great way to end the record.
Sad in the City is solid throughout and lyrically speaking, really captures this moment in time. Its recording is clear, but not too polished and accurately depicts what the band sounds like in a live setting. In short, fans of melodic punk will find just about everything they’re looking for on this album.
