We’ll be straightforward here – Chicago’s Belmont are sure to be your new favorite pop-punk band. Their 2016 EP Between You & Me really stood out in a crowded pop-punk genre, especially its big single “Overstepping” – providing a genuinely fun and varied pop-punk EP that also contains shockingly complex structure and rhythm. Especially in the drums. Now the band is back with their self-titled debut full-length (out August 17th). How does it stack up to their previous work? Quite well, indeed.
Much like their previous EP’s, Belmont comes across almost always as some weird hybrid of more technical rock sub-genres (Napoleon, melodic hardcore), but with a pop-punk song structure and lyrics. That dichotomy is fascinating to listen to on their self-titled debut, as tracks like “Interlude” delve into the emo-trap genre that’s become popular over the last few years, and also features Shinigami. No matter your opinion on these changes of pace, you have to admit that their ambition is much higher than most.
Tracks like “Hollowed Out” and “Albert” are a great example of vocals that reach the upper limits of Taz Johnson’s register, doing so in impressive fashion – but also maintaining a heavy backbone with the more melodic hardcore instrumentals. It’s really refreshing to hear a band like this really push themselves to the musical limit while also maintaining a high level of engagement and replay value. There’s even Turnover-like ambient rock sections in the background during the former song.
In a sea of seemingly endless and talented pop-punk and rock acts, Belmont really deliver the goods here, maintaining a sense of killer songwriting throughout the entire debut record. Impressive work, but is it really that much of a surprise? This is, of course, the same band who wrote a song as infectious as “Overstepping”. Expect this bright young band to take off like lightning.
