One of their genre’s most prolific bands, Connecticutian emo rockers Sorority Noise already have two full-lengths, three EPs and three splits to their name since forming in 2013. Now, the band have returned with a brand new studio album entitled ‘You’re Not As _____ As You Think’ – a record that acts as an unflinching snapshot of frontman Cameron Boucher’s life.

While not labelled as a concept album, the themes of death and the shockwaves it can send through the lives of those left behind looms large over this album’s ten tracks. Refraining from mincing his words from the get go, Boucher – in no uncertain terms – lays bare his own experiences on the rather heart-wrenching ‘No Halo’. The starkness of his lyrical approach will undoubtedly be a bit full on for some, but with a well-crafted indie rock instrumental, it’s a haunting but beautiful opener.

Indeed, ‘haunting’ and ‘beautiful’ are words that befit much of You’re Not As _____ As You Think. Standouts like the short but bittersweet ‘Car’ and ‘Leave The Fan On’ make maximum use of loud-soft dynamics, and while this record isn’t groundbreaking musically, Sorority Noise provide the perfect backing track to stories this record tells.

Although pain and heartache dominate this record, the way in which it is approaches these issue isn’t always as heavy as on ‘No Halo’. From the sentiments of hope following a period of extreme grief that feature on ‘Disappeared’ to ‘A Portrait Of’’s occasional moments of morbid humour, there are no grey areas in the canvas Boucher paints.

‘You’re Not As _____ As You Think’ is at times an uncomfortable, but ultimately rewarding listen. Expertly representing the myriad of emotional states one experiences when mourning, this record is brutally honest but highly compelling as a result.

4/5

‘You’re Not As ____ As You Think’ by Sorority Noise is released on 17th March on Big Scary Monsters / Triple Crown Records.

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Words by Josh Graham (@jollyboyjosh_)