Movements – Feel Something

Fearless Records has been pushing California post-hardcore emo quartet Movements quite heavily on the lead up to the release of their debut full length, Feel Something.  Various press folks followed up on the album on multiple occasions until they finally wore me down and I thought, “hey, maybe there’s something this whole Movements things.”  So Feel Something made the next migration to my review playlist and I gave it a spin. I was shocked.  It’s been quite awhile since a band has so effortlessly wowed me with this type of pop infused emo, but Feel Something is of a calibur unto its own.

The band feels in complete control of their temperment, never once coming across as anything but pointed and sincere.  Vocalist Patrick Miranda demonstrates a fine range of control across opener “Full Circle.”  Starting with a low and carefully managed tone that draws parallels to calm talkers The American Scene, listeners are welcomed with reassurance that Movements will make Feel Something a carefully paced endeavour.  By the time the first chorus hits, likenesses to The Early November and Transit percolate through Miranda’s pitchy delivery.  That combination alone would have been enough for a solid debut, but suddenly and without warning Miranda unleashes a melodic, spoken-word monologue that feels like a more subdued take on The Saddest Landscape.  Miranda’s calm delivery of such  an underrated and underutilized style is second to none, and his adjustment between all three is fluid and complimentary.  He’s no jack of all trades, but rather a master of many.

Movements doesn’t fall into any particularly predictable pattern, which works to the quartet’s advantage. Take “Colorblind,” which primarily hovers around Taking Back Sunday/Senses Fail leaning alternative pop-punk, and contrast it with the hushed, mellow intonation of “Daylily.”  Even in “Deadly Dull,” when Miranda returns to his spoken-word style, the execution is entirely different, this time filling the place of a mid-song bridge that retreats to a place of sullen melodic vocals and the chillingly expressive chorus call, “What’s it like to be erased, every time you fall asleep?”  The song’s focus on late-life brain disease (presumably dementia/alzheimers) is powerful, poetic, and purposeful.  “Fever Dream” bucks trends further and embarks on a strictly acoustic mission, while “Under The Gun” embraces a crunchy  bass driven post-punk volly.

Feel Something’s ease of listening and emo orientation draws an intuitive comparison to the best of the Drive Thru Records back catalogue.  In other words, this isn’t your typical Fearless Records fare – it’s both artistic and marketable.  Imagine if Brand New had started rather than ended their career in 2017 – that’s Feel This‘ potential.  Any fan of pop-punk, post-hardcore or emo would be wise to invest in Feel Something and become acquainted with Movements.  Thanks for the extra nudge press people.