ALBUM In Between // ARTIST Glass Tides
Adelaide post-hardcore quintet Glass Tides deliver a class act via their debut full-length album, poised comfortably between anthemic rage and gripping serenity with In Between which unveiled last week.
Making waves in the slightly heavier waters of the Aussie music scene since their inception in 2017, Glass Tides have found themselves supporting the likes of Circa Survive, Spiderbait, Body Jar and more, brewing their signature blend of emo and rock that has seen them likened to Bring Me The Horizon, The Used and Young Lions. And while 2019 saw them nab triple j play and local acclaim, 2020 has started off with a momentous bang as they serve up their debut full-legnth In Between to start the new year in style.
In Between commences with one of its lead singles Crawling; an atmospheric anthem of bittersweet proportions, establishing the light and shade of vocalist Paul Bakker alongside some nostalgic instrumentation and angsty melodics. Somebody Else hops out next, throwing out some softer punky vibes before the one-two punch of the heavier Waste and serene Sympathy effectively demonstrate the dynamic shifts at the core of the Glass Tides soul and offer up some of the most memorable moments of aggression and heartfelt sonic restraint seen on In Between.
SYMPATHY (GLASS TIDES)
Sashaying into rollicking calm, Insecure dishes up a profound stomper that balances its narrative angst with some sparkling guitarwork and lush textures, while The Past Is Dead and Mirrors gift a beseeching ode and dreamy electronic-hued ballad respectively.
In Between closes out flitting between swaying, potent angst and commanding arrangements with Pointless View and the particularly powerful Happy, before the album's title track goes a tad soft rock with an emphatic chorus and a touch of good old-fashioned emo that strikes a tender yet almighty chord, hammering home the album's introspective core as Bakker's heady vocals repeat: "I'm stuck in between the person I am and wanna be//I'm losing myself thinking I'm doomed with someone else".
While Glass Tides are certainly not a new band, it's particularly exciting to see a group still reasonably fresh on the scene so vehemently rise to the occasion at this calibre for a debut album. Whether you're a fan of the emo/post-hardcore realms or not, there's something irresistibly likeable about In Between that doesn't grate with its "feels" or grind with its shimmering delays. Glass Tides have clearly found a winning formula for balancing their influences with their own unique sound, and the end result for their debut full-length is a raw and enticing assortment of tunes that set the benchmark high for a very bright future to come.
IN BETWEEN FROM GLASS TIDES IS OUT IN THE WORLD NOW, FOR MORE INFO HEAD HERE.
CRAWLING (GLASS TIDES)
BY TIANA SPETER