First Day Back - Forward (2025)
Forward is a nostalgic yet fresh trip back to ’90s Midwest emo, driven by introspective lyricism and heartfelt melodies. It explores themes of memory, family trauma, and emotional fog with poetic clarity—nimble storytelling that unfolds through an emotional lens. The album’s instrumentation mixes raw post-hardcore riffs with tender violins and harmonica, giving each song both grit and intimacy. Vocal performances—especially from Maggie—oscillate between stirring shouts and moody, melodic tones, deeply enhancing the emotive pull of tracks like “Moving Out,” “Gone On,” “Lines,” and “Paint.” While it leans heavily on emo nostalgia and lacks explosive hooks, it succeeds in forging a sincere, immersive listening experience. Overall, Forward is a solid modern emo statement—earnest, melodic, and full of heart.
Genre: Emo
Country: US
Final Verdict: 58% (Forgettable Album)
Yearly Ranking: 468th / 506
Highlight: Upstairs (212)
Made me think of:
Cap’n Jazz
The Get Up Kids
The Hotelier
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