Anthems
Bridges
Self-Released
Street: 06.16
Anthems = Liferuiner + Comeback Kid

Immediately opening with the aggressive “Bridge Burner,” which uses the imagery of a burning bridge to announce secession from a certain corrupt nation, Bridges is a five-song anthem against political hypocrisy and our national apathy. It’s fairly standard stuff for hardcore, and the lyrics are usually pretty on the nose, though with less forced bravado than their typical peers. You’ll hear tons of gang vocals, and you’ll also hear plenty of breakdowns, but I don’t hold it against them. I’m partial to the genre, but there’s something passionate and earnest in the delivery here, particularly in Micah Merz’s vocals and in the songs “Our Only Hope” and “Bridge Builder.” The latter is easily my favorite song out of the five, and its slow buildup gets me every time. Bridges is a damn solid start, and I’m looking forward to seeing what they come up with next. –Matt Brunk