Northeast Disease , the debut EP by self-described Emotional Rock band Anthms hailing from Naugatuck, CT, is out today. Though this 4-piece group has only been together since May of last year, they hit the ground running in their local scene, opening for bands such as Motion City Soundtrack and A Will Away.
Anthms’ inaugural track and first single from Northeast Disease, “Float,'' was released independently on July 29th, 2022. The song is reminiscent of self-titled era The Story So Far, blending melancholy verses with driving, singalong choruses. The second single from Northeast Disease, “Post,” was released on February 7th, 2023. This track showcases Anthms’ willingness to avoid being boxed in musically, as it delivers a more pop-rock inspired rendition of their sound. These first two tracks set the stage for the songwriting talent that this band delivers on this EP, and they made me very excited to dive into the rest of it.
Up first is “Roots,” a high-energy opening track that addresses the difficulty of moving on from past mistakes and life’s seemingly never-ending cycle of ups and downs. This is a mosh-ready song that reminds me of early Neck Deep in all of the best ways. First-time listeners to Anthms will find that “Roots” is a clear indication of the musicianship this group has, from punchy half-time drum breaks to ambient, open-string guitar lines. Ear candy moments such as twinkling pinch harmonics and extra percussion are creative additions that make this song a standout and a solid introduction to this EP.
The second song on Northeast Disease, “Float,” is the first single, as mentioned above. The hardships of saying goodbye to a complicated relationship weigh heavy with this song, drifting between a desire for closure and acknowledging the turmoil that the relationship caused. The musical structure of this track takes a similar approach, as it switches between subdued, resonating verses and bouncy emo rock choruses. The bridge was my favorite moment of the song, featuring a hard-hitting drum track and piercing screams. I would love to hear more of that screaming on Anthms’ future releases.
Track 3, “Post,” takes a bit of a sonic left turn, sounding at first more like a southern rock tune than a song from an emo rock band. This song questions whether the feeling of love is enough to overcome the despair caused by the uncertainty of life. The protagonist is struggling with how going through the motions can lead to a sense of feeling lost and wanting more. This is definitely the “ballad” of the EP, showing off silky smooth vocal harmonies and catchy melodies throughout. Notable moments include a stank face-inducing drum fill and a soaring guitar solo that suited the song wonderfully.
“Plans” comes right out of the gate with a sharp, bouncy drum pattern and a plucky, optimistic lead guitar. Anthms’ rhythm section shines in this song, featuring a pummeling bass tone locked tightly into the drums. Like other songs on Northeast Disease, “Plans” includes a catchy singalong chorus. Whoever writes the vocal melodies for Anthms has a knack for using pop-inspired hooks that make it hard to resist humming along. This pop sensibility contrasts with the push-and-pull theme of feeling stuck in a rut despite attempts at self-improvement. This is an overall chill, bouncy jam that reminds me of Sleep On It.
I’ll just say right away that “Lover” is my favorite song on this EP. I’m a sucker for pop-punk bangers like this one. This song features early 2000s-inspired vocal hooks throughout and contains my personal favorite chorus on Northeast Disease. It immediately gives off Summertime, windows-down driving vibes. Though it has a happy, major-key energy, this track deals with the fear of being alone and the crippling feeling of being unable to move forward. The metaphors sprinkled throughout the lyrics feel original and are very well-done. I can’t say enough good things about this song.
“Shades” is the closing track, and I think it was the perfect decision to place this song last. This song acknowledges a struggle with personal identity and how it conflicts with a desire for connection. Ending the EP on a note of cautious optimism, the protagonist addresses “planting the seeds” for improvement in the midst of doubt. I loved the light flanger on the main riff paired with massive drums, and the vocal harmonies once again added interesting depth to the melodies. That slow build to the epic final chorus was the “cherry on top” that every good closing song deserves.
Northeast Disease is an exceptionally strong debut for Anthms. Hearing this level of songwriting ability from a still-new band makes me very excited to hear what they’re able to cook up next. If you’ve been into emo/pop-punk such as The Story So Far, Arms Length, or Sleep On It, you are going to really enjoy this batch of bangers. Northeast Disease is available everywhere you stream music.
