The In Betweens, an indie and emo group from New York, released their second “Halloween Sessions” on October 25, 2024. This EP is aptly titled “Halloween Sessions 2” and, whether or not they know or intended this or not, “Halloween Sessions 2” is an incredible, truly perfect, and on-point soundtrack for autumn. Comprised of three members, Gideon, Matt, and Noah, The In Betweens continuously showcase their lyrical and composition skills, drawing in listeners with compelling, powerful melodies and “Halloween Sessions 2” is the perfect starting place for anyone wanting to completely fall for The In Betweens (like I have!).
The first track from the EP, “Backwards Blackbirds”, is one of my favorites from the EP, and with it, The In Betweens comes in strong, holding the listener hostage, the dreamy main vocals given depth and power through layered vocals and the drive and power of the heavier backing guitar. Once the drums kick in, “Backwards Blackbirds” fully ensnaring the listener. Later on in the song, when everything but the main vocals and acoustic guitar cuts out, chills are sent down my spine, almost as if I am teleported to the center of the forest, moss and bark underfoot. There is such gravity to this song, it holds you tight, it throws you around, with “Backwards Blackbirds” I am a bird caught in a storm, reaching my hollowed-out-tree-trunk home just as the rain subsides. “Backwards Blackbirds” is a truly striking track that will both shake you to your core and hold you steady while you weather the storm.
Another favorite of mine is “8-bit Graveyard Interlude” – this incredible track is an interlude and yet, even as just an interlude, it showcases the incredible talent and composition skills of The In Betweens. It feels like being a kid again, stuck inside during a snowstorm, playing on your Nintendo 64 or Xbox 360 or Wii all day because it’s winter break, you’re snowed in, what else do you have to do? It has such ambience, it is so soothing and nostalgic, and it’s the kind of track that elicits these feelings from everyone, yet means something unique to each listener. “8-bit Graveyard Interlude” is absolutely amazing.
The last track I want to talk about specifically is “Other Times…Other Places…” – this track utterly floored me the first time I heard it. My heart and lungs and brain were awash with emotion, unsure which way was up and which was down, unsure if I was two or twelve or twenty-two. I exist in every time period with this track, I am a kid again, staring out of my grandmother’s car’s window, I am in middle school and it’s about to be my birthday, and I’m in my early twenties learning about what it means to move to a different state by yourself. This track begs you to show your innermost thoughts, because it assures you that it will be okay, it’s all going to be okay, it won’t hurt just to recognize what you’re feeling. The dreamy, hazy vocals and gorgeous guitar riffs drive this machine of emotion, rhythmic and slow percussion feeling like something you could align your heartbeat with. The In Betweens absolutely stun with this track. This is something special, truly something special.
This band is not just full of extremely talented musicians, they are also kind, amazing people who put so much thought and care into everything that they make and release, and The In Betweens have consistently been a powerful musical force – “Halloween Sessions 2” is no different. It has so much depth, so much ambience and daydream-ability, and I am so, so excited for whatever The In Betweens does next.
Written by Valor
