If you’re a fan of emo bands with incredible vocals – Foxing, Pool Kids, All Time Low, ADTR – you may want to add Alpine Loop to your rotation if you haven’t already. The new single “Empty” starts off quiet and pensive, but then explodes into a fiery ballad, with Travis Casper showing off the vocal range. For me, it sure does reopen a part of my brain that I had locked away in around 2008.
This is the first time we’re covering Alpine Loop, a four-piece out of Utah with a pop punk sound that brings back memories of peak 2000s emo. Most of their discography could fit in with the likes of Anberlin, Saosin, Emery, Circa Survive, Hawthorne Heights, and all the high-energy acts that made me go through the phase of wearing all black and drawing tattoos on my arms in Sharpie. (Sorry. It wasn’t a phase. That was who I was, Mom.)
Not only is Casper rocking out with the tenor tones at full voice, lead guitarist Max Scholes is showing off his skills with the strings. Usually a speed demon who can fire off a mind-bending solo at a moment’s notice, Scholes shows his softer side in the quieter moments of “Empty”, matching Casper’s vocals as they rise and fall with emotion. The new single shows a look at this group’s versatility and songwriting, crafting fresh bangers that sound just about as good as anything you’ve heard before.
After hearing this, you might think about ordering yourself a new pair of fishnet gloves and some black eyeliner. I turned off all the lights in my office and put on my black hoodie. Phases come and go, I guess.
“Empty” is a track from their album Making A Scene, which drops later this month. Take a listen below.
Written by Will Sisskind
