Ah, DOGDAD’s “SWAN DIVE PITY PARTY” – a debut album that’s like a rollercoaster ride through a myriad of emotions, where each turn and loop is as unpredictable as it is exhilarating. The band’s ambition to fuse Post-Punk, Post-Hardcore, and Emo into a cohesive, yet dynamically shifting sound is nothing short of bold. It’s like they’ve tossed a bunch of musical genres into a blender, and what comes out is a mix that’s both jarring and deliciously addictive.
Take “Dewar’s Good Time” for example – it’s a track that feels like a wild night out, where the memories are hazy but the emotions are crystal clear. The garage punk vibe is unmistakable, with a guitar riff that’s as catchy as it is raw. It’s the kind of song that perfectly encapsulates the feeling of post-argument catharsis, where you’re driving alone, volume cranked up, letting the music wash over your frustrations. It’s got that early At The Drive In essence, but with a unique DOGDAD twist.
Then there’s “Know Me Better,” which plays like a pop-infused jaunt through a field of emotions. The vocals are an intriguing mix of playful and intense, capturing the essence of the lyrics in a way that’s both engaging and raw. The bridge brings in a guitar sound that’s like a breath of fresh air, adding a new layer to DOGDAD’s eclectic sound palette.
“Hospice” continues the trend of energetic offerings, but with a lyrically deep dive. It’s like a musical exorcism, expelling all the ghosts of the past in a blaze of indie rock glory. The band channels the raw intensity of IDLES and the emotive vocal style of Placebo, creating a track that’s both a scream into the void and a whisper in the dark.
“The Orchard” stands out with its Queens of the Stone Age-esque groove, merging heavy riffs with a melodic chorus that’s both haunting and captivating. The screamo-spoken word sections add an extra layer of intensity, making the track a standout example of DOGDAD’s ability to blend genres seamlessly.
“Ouroborus” is the curveball of the album, an acoustic track that feels like a moment of introspection amidst the chaos. The singer’s vocal dramatics, fluctuating between screamo and melodic post-hardcore, create a rich tapestry of sound that’s both surprising and deeply satisfying.
In essence, “SWAN DIVE PITY PARTY” is an album that refuses to be pigeonholed. It’s a musical journey through the highest highs and the lowest lows, with each track offering a different perspective on the complexities of human emotion. DOGDAD has crafted an album that’s as much a therapy session as it is a collection of songs. It’s raw, it’s real, and it’s unapologetically eclectic. And that, in itself, is a rare and beautiful thing in today’s music scene.
