EP REVIEW: Paper Houses – Keep This Up
“Not just another post-hardcore band” is just one of the phrases to describe KEEP THIS UP and this is never clearer than on their new EP Paper Houses. It’s a refreshing reminder that although punk may not be as mainstream as it has been before it is still alive and very much kicking.
The EP sounds scrappy as soon as Fire Bottle starts with the guitar riffs giving it a rough sounding edgy feel. The vocals mix actual melody with screamo in a way that feels reminiscent of early SLEEPING WITH SIRENS which is something any post-hardcore band should really be happy with except here these guys have a more technical and explosive approach and it is awesome.
The EP slows a little (although for KEEP THIS UP slow is still pretty fast) on Lost. It’s a little more heartfelt through the lyrics being a love song and it’s full of anguish and torment. The screamo feel is still present toward the end and is still just as welcome. When KEEP THIS UP get going there are no restraints. As Above, So Below was released as a single as a little snippet of what was to come and if they wanted to hook people then they picked the right track. It’s raw and heavy and has an earwormy riff that is catchy but in the most punk way possible. It’s angry and chaotic and just perfect.
Bury Me is probably where the band go hardest. It’s basically just heavy instrumentation and some great screaming in the choruses. It’s great how the band just open up the throttle on this track and give 100%. It’s like they’re not even worried if it works or not, they’re just having a great time with this track and working out some personal issues through the lyrics.
Ending on Paper Houses it does sound like they’re going to end on a softer more tender note but then it kicks in and rather than a high-octane punk/hardcore track it’s a theatrical big track which could easily be the closing to a rock opera. Of course, the hardcore energy is still present but it takes more of a backseat with this track. The vocals swell and explode in parts whilst they’re quiet and more controlled in others.
This EP is basically post-hardcore done right. It’s almost a blueprint that other bands should use when trying to craft a great post-hardcore record. KEEP THIS UP started as a pop-punk band and although pop-punk is great, the shift to hardcore was the perfect move for this band. Paper Houses goes hard and that’s just how it should be.
Rating 8/10
Paper Houses is set for release on June 30th via self-release.
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