On the 18th of January 2020, Newcastle’s Eat Your Heart Out took to the Roundhouse stage in support of Frank Carter And The Rattlesnakes, and they absolutely crushed it. Prior to that, the band hadn’t really appeared on my radar, but after that show, there was no way I was going to ignore them. The very next day, a copy of their debut record ‘Florescence’ was in the mail, and for the better part of year, it never stopped spinning.
With the lockdown across New South Wales only extending, the Delta strain continuing to spread, and news that the band have sadly had to postpone recording their second album, it seemed like the perfect time to revisit the band's titanic debut.
A massive release that unleashes a sharp, fresh take on alt-rock and pop-punk, ‘Florescence’ continues to pave a dynamic, new path, one that hits with a whirlwind of brash, sonic melodies, cataclysmic riffs, and bold, self-exploratory lyrics. While tracks like ‘Carousel‘, ‘Nowhere’, and ‘Same Stars’ take centre stage with their massive choruses and frontwoman Caitlin Henry’s incredible vocals, the band really show their talents in the softer, more emotionally charged tracks like ‘Cold Hands’ and ‘Pear Tree’. Continuing to impress, Eat Your Heart Out also push their sound into more brash, pop-punk territory with standout tracks like ‘Blinded‘ and ‘Spinning’, completing the band’s evolution and ensuring that they showcase every trick in their musical arsenal.
Beyond everything, two tracks on the album continue to impress time and time again, with ‘Heavy With Envy’ and ‘Closer To The Sun’ remaining firm favourites over the past few years. Easily two of the band’s most impressive songs, both tracks hit with immediacy and grit, capturing a timeless, anthemic sound that most bands could only dream of creating.
A record that incorporates that Eat Your Heart Out had explored in their previous singles, ‘Florescence’ is a perfect illustration of their sound, setting the standard and creating a powerful foundation that they can continue to build off. Back when the album was first released, Wall of Sound said that ‘Florescence’ was “an impressive collection of tunes that needs to be heard”, but for me, that’s an understatement.
Score: 9/10
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