Harsh Language – Melancholia (2022)
Beginning as the solo project of musician Sean Shreeve, Harsh Language fuses various genres to create a boundary-breaking sound. An evolution of Shreeve’s initial project, the UK-based threesome embraces synths and hard rock instrumentation in their “melodic noise”. Following the release of their debut EP Distortions in 2020, Harsh Language has started turning the heads of press across the globe including Our Sound Music, Thoughts Words Actions, Punk Rocker and various playlists. The latest addition to their repertoire is the single ‘Melancholia’.
The first release since Distortions, ‘Melancholia’ draws together alternative rock with underlying synth-pop tinges. Yet, while Harsh Language can be placed in an alt-rock category, it is the heavy melodic metal instrumentation that makes them stand out among the rabble. Dynamic guitars combine with pounding drums and keyboards reaching out into the kaleidoscopic soundscape. Moreover, the interspersed electronic movement inserts a contemporary eclecticism to the group’s evocative sound.
I am a fan of melodic metal and absolutely adore the depth of the melody, but it is the lead vocals that capture my attention. Gruff, raw and intense, Harsh Language look at intimate content with a bold flair. Not ones to step away from diverse sounds, the lads of Harsh Language also embrace controversially conceptual content to connect with their listeners. Touching on aspects of “general apathy that the world seems to be feeling right now towards some major factors in our lives – mainly the climate crisis and the corruption we’re seeing in people who govern us – we [Harsh Language] look to find a way back from two years spent recovering from a global pandemic.”
Emotive, hypnotic and brutally honest with pensive sentimentality, ‘Melancholia’ is a melancholic single with a hard-hitting attitude. ‘Melancholia’ is the first song from Harsh Language’s upcoming sophomore EP, and I cannot wait to see (or rather hear) what else these lads have for us.
For more from Harsh Language check out their Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Spotify.
