Diaspora Problems

Soul Glo are a hardcore band from Philadelphia who crank out an uncommonly hard and intense fusion of punk and metal influences loaded with purposeful rage about the personal and the political. Thats the relatively simple explanation of a dauntingly complex band. The groups founding members are Black, and their worldview and political stance contain a lot of layers that your usual white band of hardcore ranters lack. They embrace the reasonable notion that nearly all American popular music is in some way rooted in Black influences, which means this raw, physically punishing music also finds room for elements of funk, hip-hop, and even jazz, with a horn section joining in on two tracks. Hardcore is a subgenre that prides itself on technical complexity without always finding room for challenging musical thinking, and within this context, Soul Glos 2022 album Diaspora Problems is a truly thrilling experience. This is music thats almost literally exploding with ideas, so much so that lead singer Pierce Jordan can barely fit them all in as he screams his way through these tracks, and guitarist Ruben Polo, bassist Gianmarco "GG" Guerra, and drummer T.J. Stevenson have the strength and versatility to make music thats as smart and ferocious as the lyrics. ("Driponomics," which features a guest spot from Philly rapper Mother Mayrose, is built around a squiggly feedback line from Polo that demonstrates the distance between hardcore and industrial rap is practically zero under the right circumstances). The bands technique is solid and theyre more than burly enough to bring the most impassioned bits of this music roaring to life, but its the passion and emotional investment in the material that make the biggest difference. There is a ferocious intelligence and a keen eye at work in this music, and the fact that the bone-snapping impact never blunts it is remarkable, but Jordans willingness to allow us inside his head and witness his insecurities and inner dialogue alongside his rage give this a depth few hardcore bands will ever reach. If you want your ears kicked, Soul Glo can do that like few others, but Diaspora Problems confirms thats hardly the beginning and end of their talents. ~ Mark Deming

名門エピタフと契約した彼らの4作目が凄い。ハードコアを主体にカオティックなミクスチャーで畳み掛け、ポリティカルな歌詞を掲げたシャウト・ヴォーカルもずっとブチ切れ状態である。3分前後と曲調の尺は長くなったが、スラッシーな切れ味とノイジーな破壊力は俄然増している。また、ホーンを導入した曲調もあり、キャッチーなフレーズも随所で顔を出す。とにかく、新種の激越音に脱帽の一枚だ。
bounce (C)荒金良介