What does it take for a post-hardcore band to stand out? The 2010s were flooded with acts in the genre, drawing some ire for a lot of “samey”-sounding bands. Bands like Chiodos, Attack Attack!, and Crown the Empire set the groundwork for bands to either imitate or deviate.
Coletta, a newer band to the genre, does the latter, experimenting with their instruments in every song they’ve released to date. 2018’s Mind & Time stands as one of my favorite EP’s of all time, with every song sounding different from each other. 2019’s “Wanderlust” is a five-minute celebration of the EP, sounding right at home for the band while introducing even more ideas.
The band stands out by crafting a meticulous, exploratory sound. My friend Mike regards “Blossom” as one of the best post-hardcore songs of all time, as its transition from the previous song immerses the listener into a trance of calming sedation before it reaches a climax of scathing unclean vocals and groovy riffs.
From the divine keyboard usage to introduce “Flower Child”, to the xylophone entrance in “Blossom”, to the blistering drums in “The Bee’s Knees”, there are several risks taken in the EP that pay off. Finding another band that sounds like Coletta is a tough task, as it’s hard to discern who even specifically influenced the band.
At the start of the previous decade, I would search far and wide for new post-harcore bands. I discovered some great acts through their first EPs, including Outline in Color, Kingdom of Giants, and Fit for a King. Coletta rejuvenates this rewarding sense of discovery, as Mind & Time is pure bliss to listen to.
While some bands tend to break up after a one-and-done with an EP, Coletta’s signing to We Are Triumphant Records solidifies their status as an active band. I have been waiting with bated breath for new music from the band, as I’ve indulged the EP and “Wanderlust” immensely in 2019.
To my pleasure came Triumphant’s announcement of new music from Coletta and several of their other bands, including Osatia and Lilac Kings. Whether this means a single, another EP, or hopefully a full-length, I anxiously await for more Coletta to enter my ears!
