Album Review: Snarls – Burst

Burst, the debut LP from self-defined ‘glitter emo alt-rockers’ Snarls, is an aptly titled record. The Columbus, OH 4-piece has been quietly flourishing over the past year and, with this release through Take This To Heart Records, their spectral dream-pop is in full bloom. Tracks from the album have already been made available through their Bandcamp page and reactions have been favourable, with the likes of Rolling Stone, NPR and Stereogum noting the group as one to watch out for in 2020.

Clocking in at around 35 minutes, the 10 songs across Burst create a wistful atmosphere that would contradictorily suit both breezy Bank Holidays and dark autumnal evenings. In fact, Snarls are a band of beautiful contradictions – their ‘tough’ moniker would suggest a brash attitude backed by spiky guitars, but instead they deliver a palette of lush harmonies and shimmery shoegaze tones, finely demonstrated on the gorgeous ‘Twenty’. Peppered throughout the record are confessional lyrics caught between adolescent sentiments (“I can’t quit you baby, no matter how hard I try”) and old-soul perceptions (“I’d be so much better off if I knew what the world was handing me”) that belie the band’s developing years. Quiet and loud dynamics trade off in the immediate indie-pop of ‘Marbles’; while on standout track ‘What’s it Take?’, driving pop gives way to reverb-soaked, introspective moments that in turn give way to a woozy clash and clatter.

The closing title-track concludes the album in dreamy fashion, beginning with an exposed bassline that is layered upon with subtle guitar howls and crashing cymbals, until it blossoms into an exhilarating finale, as vocalist Chlo White vulnerably inquires, then requests: “Will you say goodbye?” through the echo. It looks like this year though, many will actually be saying “Hello” to Snarls…

Like chiming chords and soaring choruses drenched in female harmonies? Burst is released on 6^th March 2020 and can be pre-ordered via the band’s official website.

Become a ‘Snart’ through the band’s Bandcamp, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages.