blacktoothed – JULI
Release Date: 29th July 2022
Label: Arising Empire
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Genre: Nu-Metal, Emo, Heavy Pop-Rock.
FFO: Breaking Benjamin, Stone Broken, Asking Alexandria, Staind, Puddle of Mudd, Linkin Park.
Review By: David Oberlin
Opening with two very strong tracks, JULI, the new album from Swedes (stylised) blacktoothed, while adroit, suffers from Power Ballad syndrome, where the shock of the initial bite gives over to a gumsy rendition of pontificated heartbreak. Blacktoothed are doing their own thing and if that works for them then more power to ‘em. But, it doesn’t shake the feeling of bait and switch, and of emotional repetition.
The term nu-metal is not avant-garde any more, but the grade is certainly apt in describing what to expect with this album. Creatively stagnant is too, but then it is a well-defined genre piece masquerading as indie art. JULI ticks all the boxes and fills in the explain addendum. It is a very good album. It should get biscuits.
No, really, it is a very good album. Technically, it is wonderful. Structurally, the songs tend to stay on the safe side of the common pop recipe, measured to the gram. All while the instrumentation, including the two beautiful vocalists, is utilised to create a dynamic that swims in reverberant warm water. If anything, JULI is equivalent to comfort food. Just, topped with nihilistic optimism.
You could call this album Finding Nu-Emo. However, as mentioned before, technically it is a very accomplished album. Yet, in its polish and with the focus on damage-it holistically, the music forgets the humbleness in imperfection. It is ironic then that its greatness is its biggest folly. With the other being the pacing.
(3 / 5)
