Portland’s moody slowcore force Brood22 is in return, and holy cow, their new single, “this again”, is a mood, a vibe, a goddamn atmospheric trip that’ll knock you on your ass with its intensity. Forget shredding guitars and breakneck drums; this project uses patience and tone like a sonic sledgehammer, leaving you reeling long after the last fuzzy note fades out.
Right out the gate, “this again” sucks you in. That low, droning guitar is the foundation, a hypnotic hum that lets your mind wander off into space. Then surprise – the lead guitar creeps in like a ghost, painting these heartbreaking melodies across the soundscape. The atmosphere is so thick you could practically chew it, creating this beautiful but slightly ominous mood.
The vocals slide in next – intimate, hushed, almost a whispered confession riding the crest of the music. They’re not belted; they’re felt, perfectly matching the track’s beautifully gloomy, world-weary pulse. You can hear the strain of existence, the ache of losing autonomy, the toxic weight of codependency Brood22 explores. This isn’t your mom’s feel-good pop; it’s real emotion slowed down to a crawl.
But don’t mistake the pace for passivity. Midway through, Brood22 jolts the system. A crunchy guitar rips through the speakers, shattering the calm like a brick through glass. It’s a glorious, jarring shift – pure rock energy asserting itself within the slowcore framework. And that finale? Holy hell. The track doesn’t just end; it explodes with this huge, fuzzy riff that’ll rattle your bones. It’s the perfect release after all that build-up, like finally scratching an itch you couldn’t reach.
“this again” proves you don’t need breakneck speed to hit hard –sometimes the slow burn leaves the deepest mark. Brood22 takes all that lonely, worn-out feeling and turns it into something you can’t look away from. They pile on layers of that dusty, Southern Arizona vibe before releasing pure rock mayhem. This is slowcore that bites back, hard. Essential listening for anyone who likes their rock immersive, intelligent, and packing a serious punch. Get on it.