Enchanting the Emo-Opposed

The Early November knows what they sound like; they are in early 2000s-born emo rock band with sweet, passionate vocals and catchy riffs. It’s what made so many teenagers fall in love with them in 2002 and 15 years later, it’s what will make those same teenagers, all grown up, fall in love with them now. Their newest record, Imbue, is the second since their reunion in 2011 and it’s like getting in a time machine back to the days of Myspace music players and the reign of Drive-Thru Records. But it’s not just 20-somethings missing their high school days who’ll find something in this record. The Early November is well prepared to enchant even the most emo-opposed listener.

An album that sounds like it was released ten years earlier can easily be a bad thing, but the Early November has proven their timelessness by defying the odds and putting out the perfect emo record in a time when most people have forgotten about the genre entirely in favor of pop punk and hardcore. Songs like “Cyanide” showcase the bands harder edge, which they execute just as easily as their softer side, which can be heard on tracks like “Circulation.” Imbue showcases the versatility in singer Ace Enders’s voice, especially in one of the highlights on the record, “I Don’t Care.” The record even ends perfectly, with the powerfully emotional “Nothing Lasts Forever” that will have you banging your head and wishing there were more of the record to go.

In a year already so full of fantastic releases, it takes a lot for a record to truly stand out, especially a record that one might expect to feel a bit dated, but the Early November has knocked it out of the park. Whether you’re a die-hard Drive-Thru fan or someone just looking for a soundtrack for the blossoming Spring weather, Imbue is a must-listen.