Clearly, the only pearl to clutch here is the new Bent Blue record, So Much Seething. Following up their previous 2022 release, the San Diego-based band mix different eras of hardcore within a 23-minute span through Indecision Records.
“There was no master plan, the idea was just writing songs that are more bouncy and less punk,” vocalist Tony Bertolino says about the main idea of the record. “These songs lean into a more straight-forward and aggressive sound, a bit more traditional compared to older recordings. The plan was to order the songs in a way where you get a well-rounded record, that way if you listen to it from start to finish, you’ll get a flow between aggressiveness and melody."
Want to show someone new to the scene what hardcore is all about? This record is a great new exposure.
You'll hear a harder edge with songs such as the single "The Pearls You Clutch" and "Born on Third," or the band's signature sound on (my personal favorite off the record) "Home in My Head."
What's again interesting about the record is the versatility of each one of the songs that compose it. I try to picture how a show would go anytime I'm listening to a new record or band, and I can see everything happening at one of the next Bent Blue shows: kids moshing, singing along ("Home in My Head" would be the clear choice for this), a dog pile here and there - pretty much anything.
Aside from the sound, there's a richness to the album's lyrics. Ranging from social unconformity to mental stability, everything's in the package. Again, the album title says it: there's so much seething.
Bent Blue is on the verge of announcing new dates in places they’ve yet not played, be sure to catch them on one of these shows throughout 2025.
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So Much Seething is out now via Indecision Records.
Bent Blue on social media: Instagram
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