EP REVIEW: Exist Vol. I – Lastelle
Independent Oxfordshire post-hardcore band LASTELLE have made waves across the industry with just a handful of EPs and singles so far. They’ve toured with the likes of HOLDING ABSCENCE, CASKETS and DREAM STATE and their new EP Exist Vol. I covers topics such as learning to live after losing someone you love, the hardships of falling out of love, and bassist Freddie Whatmore‘s journey to understanding his neurodivergent mind. Although the EP has songs that discuss difficult topics, an overall message of hope is prevalent throughout.
Pine is the opening song, and it starts off slow, with a gentle synth sound that provides a calming introduction to the EP. At least that’s what the listener will think for the first minute, before the band unleash the full throttle of their sound. At this point the track leans more into hard rock, and it is a great introduction to LASTELLE for newcomers and old fans alike.
Life In Silhouettes has a similar structure to the first song as it focuses mostly on singing with some screamed vocals mixed in. Breathe Me In has a euphoric extended introduction before spitting in your face with some of the harshest screams on the EP. The juxtaposition between the upbeat rock instruments and the unclean vocals is fantastic, and the powerful chorus will translate really well live.
Exist Vol. I is not rushed. The majority of the songs land between the three to four-minute mark, and none of the songs sound too fast or too slow. Furthermore, even though the band experiment with their sound along the way – Changes With The Seasons is a powerful synth-rock song, for example – the tracks all fit really well together. This is thanks to the production, which allows each song to stand out on an individual level while also remaining cohesive to the overall feel of the EP.
The final two songs – In Separation and In Unison – are two standouts on an already fantastic EP. The first is an interlude that introduces the theme of leaving a voicemail to a deceased loved one, while In Unison is a medium-paced, gentler rock song that focuses a lot more on singing, although there are some screams mixed in as well. Both perfectly encapsulate what it’s like to lose a loved one, and the hope that one day you’ll find each other again, although it’s very hard to reconcile with the fact that you won’t see them physically on earth. It is a very raw song that will likely reduce many listeners to tears, and a perfect and very powerful ending to the EP.
Overall, Exist Vol. I is a brilliant new EP from an exciting post-hardcore band who are very much on the rise. LASTELLE break convention by going down a more rock-friendly road, and although there are still moments where the band get very heavy, they embrace the wide variety that post-hardcore can offer as a genre and take it in their stride. The six songs all fit perfectly together and form a cohesive sounding EP that showcases the considerable talents of a band to watch.
Rating: 9/10
Exist Vol. I is set for release on September 13th via self-release.
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