Nestled in the throbbing heart of Denver, Colorado, a band known as Broken Record is quietly crafting a musical narrative that weaves through decades of alternative music history. The band has now been inked by Really Rad Records, an event that sets the stage for the unveiling of their newest creation, “Blueprinting.”
With the release of “Blueprinting,” Broken Record treats their audience to a tantalizing fusion of post-punk bass grooves and enthralling, fuzz-laden choruses. Underneath the intricate strums of guitar are echoes of emblematic bands like Sunny Day Real Estate and The Promise Ring, yet Broken Record’s sound remains proudly individual, as they refuse to be solely defined by the spectres of their influences.
“Blueprinting” offers a sonic journey that encourages listeners to trace the threads of inspiration back to their roots in acts like Jimmy Eat World and Christie Front Drive. Yet it’s far from mere imitation. The single effortlessly straddles the border between nostalgia and innovation, challenging the listener to embrace a sound that is simultaneously familiar and refreshingly new.
What sets Broken Record apart from their contemporaries is their remarkable ability to draw from a diverse palette of musical influences while maintaining a distinct sound. This is evident in their second LP, and debut under Really Rad Records, “Nothing Moves Me.” A meticulous blend of chorus-drenched leads reminiscent of post-emo bands like Turnover and Title Fight, fuzzy singalong choruses akin to the triumphs of 90s indie rock, and soaring vocals hinting at early 2000s radio-ready emo acts like Bayside and Taking Back Sunday.
However, such comparisons should not detract from the unique identity that Broken Record has carefully crafted. Their music masterfully dances on the razor’s edge between experimentation and cohesion, serving as a testament to their musical acumen. The melodic intricacies found within “Nothing Moves Me” suggest a profound understanding of and respect for their influences, yet their approach is far from reverential mimicry. Instead, they seem to engage in a dialogue with the sounds that inspired them, creating a musical conversation that spans generations and genres.
While Broken Record’s sound is an amalgamation of many influences, they have managed to create an album that feels cohesive and stands alone. In “Nothing Moves Me,” every melody, every harmony, every vocal strain, and instrumental stroke serves a distinct purpose, resulting in a carefully balanced and immersive soundscape.
The four-person ensemble, composed of Lauren Beecher on vocals and guitar, Matt Dunne on guitar, Corey Fruin on bass, and Nick Danes on drums, each bring a unique perspective and contribute to Broken Record’s distinctive sound.
In the end, Broken Record, with their latest release “Blueprinting,” invite their audience to take a step back and appreciate the cyclical nature of music, where the old and the new collide, merge and metamorphose into something different, yet familiar. In doing so, they prove that they are far more than a simple continuation of past musical movements. They represent a conversation with those movements, a love letter to the music that shaped them, and a daring exploration into what comes next.
