Scarlet Street is an emo/post-hardcore band based in Ohio. Coming from the same state as genre legends Hawthorne Heights, they deliver heavy and reverb-drenched guitars along with thick basslines and lyrics that range from emotional to political. Their recently released single “VICTORY SPEECH” features an energetic yet moody atmosphere perfect for fans of emo music.
The song instantly kicks in with a heavily layered and reverberant guitar-based intro being driven along by a thick bassline and an energetic drum beat. The intro feels somewhat similar to the classic track “Understanding In A Car Crash” by NJ post hardcore legends Thursday, with the song slowing down into a softer, more bass and rhythm-focused instrumental as the vocals come in for the first verse. The band overall falls on the softer side of post hardcore, more similar to bands like Thursday and Title Fight than heavier bands such as Underoath and Chiodos. The rhythm section drops out for a short guitar and vocal-only prechorus before everything explodes into a chorus that feels like a burst of energy.
The chorus feels similar to the intro of the song in terms of guitar work, but with shouted vocals done in a way reminiscent of early 2000s bands such as Sum 41. The chorus feels almost pop punk leaning in genre, but with a heavier tone and edgy moodiness to it. The track also mixes some elements of Midwest emo, particularly with the twinkly lead guitars, which makes sense considering the band is from Ohio, which is in the Midwest. The second verse is mostly similar to the first in terms of sound, and the chorus happens again, as is standard in a traditionally structured song. This leads us to a cool instrumental breakdown based around a sample of a political victory speech, just like the song’s title! The breakdown isn’t a brutal hardcore breakdown for crowd killing like seen in more metalcore influenced bands, but it is heavy in comparison to the rest of the song! You can find the track on your preferred streaming service HERE or find it bundled along with another track, “CORPORATE MEMPHIS” on BANDCAMP! For more information on the band, follow their INSTAGRAM!
Written by Naomi Niemiec
