On their sophomore full-length,
Are We All Angels, California quintet
Scowl polish the edges of their muscular hardcore punk attack for a more accessible and ultimately catchier experience. Toning down the demonic growls and bloody mosh-pit fodder heard on 2021's
How Flowers Grow, they retain the melodic approach of that album's "Seeds to Sow" and judiciously employ vocalist
Kat Moss' clean singing in addition to her formidable screams (as heard on highlights such as "Special," "Not Hell, Not Heaven," and the lurching "Fleshed Out"). It's an ideal balance that ends up transporting listeners back to the '90s alternative heyday, when minor-key harmonies, jagged riffs, buzzing distortion, and a detached coolness reigned. For something different, check out the elastic strut, fuzzed-out haze, and whiplash tempo switch-ups of "Tonight (I'm Afraid)" for an enticing peek at what
Scowl are capable of when they spread their wings outside of traditional genre boundaries. Fans of contemporary punk upstarts like
Lambrini Girls,
Turnstile,
Amyl and the Sniffers, and
the Linda Lindas should find plenty to love on
Are We All Angels, a refreshing dose of no-frills, youthful punk energy. ~ Neil Z. Yeung
