It’s unbelievable that Silverstein has stayed so consistent after making music for 25 years. Of course, they’ve had a few ups and downs as they tested new ideas, but their post-hardcore DNA is ever-present.
Most importantly, they haven’t grown up. The “emo” teenage angst of their early material is still a big part of their sound. It helps that post-hardcore is meant to sound that way, but I give Silverstein a lot of credit for avoiding the identity crisis that a lot of bands seem to face when they enter adulthood after getting big by making music for an adolescent audience.
But Silverstein didn’t force themselves to “mature,” and they didn’t become a historical relic with an aging fanbase. Their music continues to appeal to a younger audience because they never tried to change styles. Their youthful lyrics, catchy choruses, and sensible mix of screams is the perfect gateway. It has bite, but it isn’t scary.
With 11 albums under their belt, Silverstein has a massive discography for old fans to return to, and they aren’t slowing down with new releases either. While ‘Antibloom’ is relatively short at only 23 minutes, it is only the first part of a double album. The second half, titled ‘Pink Moon,’ is scheduled for later in 2025.
Getting into the specifics of ‘Antibloom,’ it’s probably not shocking that I prefer the heavier songs. That being said, “Don’t Let Me Get Too Low” has huge energy despite having so few screams – definitely a surprise stand out. The other soft tracks are somewhat subdued but build over time.
“Mercy Mercy” is a fiery opener that has a little “Every Time I Die” attitude at the start. The true standout though is definitely “Skin & Bones.” The chorus is phenomenal. It’s one of my favorite songs from the last year. Just an absolute blast that always gets stuck in my head.
It seems like 25 years in, Silverstein is bigger than ever. The softer tracks don’t quite do it for me, but there are always two or three heavier ones that are just outstanding. They’ve got the formula down and I’ll take it.
Silverstein // Antibloom
Categories: Reviews
