ALBUM REVIEW: Shame On Me – Catch Your Breath

After recently soaring in popularity, Texas-based alt-rockers CATCH YOUR BREATH have released their debut album Shame On Me. The band garnered worldwide attention with their single Dial Tone, and their success has only been increasing since then, touring with bands such as ICE NINE KILLS and UNDEROATH. Blending alt-rock and metal, and experimenting with synth soundscapes, the band create a fairly unique sound, reminiscent of early 2010s post-hardcore with a more modern twist, driven by catchy hooks and heavy guitars. Lead vocalist and songwriter Josh Mowrey says that their newest release documents his journey into early adulthood, with each song representing an event or person in his life, and that the main objective is to connect with listeners and help them to heal from anything in the album that they may relate to.

The album opens with No Evil and listeners are immediately hit with a heavy, glitchy kind of sound, with aggressive drums that push through. The chorus is surprisingly catchy, and the blend of the melodic vocals which go straight back into heavier screams works really well. The distorted, futuristic sound throughout the song reflects their attempt to push their music into a more modern territory, and introduces what they are trying to do with the album well. Dying On The Inside is similar, with a catchy hook and really likeable vocals. The heavier drums and guitars alongside the synths bring a really unique sound, and it definitely feels like a reflection of this newer version of metalcore.

It’s easy to see why Dial Tone was so popular from the beginning, as it’s easily the most memorable track, but also the one that feels as though the band are the most confident in their sound. While it is more on the softer pop side, and might not be for everyone, it is undeniably catchy, and really proves the range of Mowrey’s vocal abilities. The lyrics especially stand out here, mainly because of their relatable, kind of commercial energy, but the songwriting is very good too.

Cycles is a bit of a change in pace, with a very atmospheric sound, and it gives a much deeper, more emotional impression. The heavier vocals reflect the desperation in the lyrics, and the anger and heartbreak is conveyed really well. As the album goes on, the lyrics seem to become more relatable and really connect with listeners. An example of this is Deadly, where the dark, romantic lyrics express a very specific, intense kind of toxic relationship.

Something really different is My Confessions, which opens with a violin. With a very dark, gothic influence, this song is especially interesting, and the dramatic, orchestral sound makes it really likeable. As it builds in urgency, the vocals become increasingly impressive, and overall this track proves that the band are capable of many different things. Another highlight is Mirror, featuring EKOH. The crossover of rap and metalcore is something that always works incredibly well, and this song is no exception.

For a debut album, Shame On Me is extremely impressive, and is very experimental, which was a risk that paid off. The band seem to blend a classic post-hardcore sound with a newer, modern tech sound that creates something really cool. In this ever-changing music scene, it is almost impossible to stand out, but CATCH YOUR BREATH have definitely pulled it off with their debut.

Rating: 7/10

Shame On Me is out now via Thriller Records.

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