I love it and it sounds nothing like Anthony's solo stuff, as well as it doesn't sound that much like Circa - though it's very akin to their secret shows or howevery you'd call it, when they performed renditions of their tunes with electronic drums etc.
Really enjoyed my first listen. I think I'd be disappointed if it was a full album of this style, but I really appreciate it for what it is.
I'm pleasantly surprised by this. Really enjoying it, although to be fair enjoyed last album a fair bit too. Loving Drift atm.
ended up waiting till last night to listen to this despite downloading the leak lol. but this is immediately my favorite release from them in a long time, honestly. I liked The Amulet when it came out but I don’t think it ever fully clicked for me, and thus I haven’t returned to it much and don’t remember many of the songs outside of Lustration. I feel like maybe I will revisit it soon and see if that changes. I love that they switched things up here in a pretty big way but it still manages to sound like something uniquely Circa. Anthony sounds great and his melodies are incredibly strong here, to be fair he’s usually pretty on point but honestly it feels like he’s singing more comfortably here and pushing less than maybe he usually might. I also just love how groovy these songs get at points. I honestly wouldn’t be mad at all if they kept in this lane for a full length, or at least introduced elements of this into their more “trademark” sound. anyway, my fav on first listen was definitely Even Better. thought it was especially strong melodically.
if I had to make a comparison to any of their other work - this ep is most similar to Amulet for me from a songwriting perspective and also Ants vocal approach.
I know it’s definitely a different atmosphere but parts of this remind me of the more melodic parts of Violent Waves, but better realized. either way this is amazing and I don’t think there’s a single weak moment on the ep.
Agree with the positive vocal comments... imo leaning into the falsetto and away from the growling is the right move these days.
this is a super interesting release, definitely a different sound for them, but somehow it's like... better than it should be? i don't know, like i feel like normally i wouldn't like something that sounds like this, but they just do it so well! it sounds super special and authentic, like they are revealing a really vulnerable side of themselves. also anthony sounds really great here!
I think that the change for this album has been a lot less jarring for me than others since I've been a part of the Patreon the past year and have been listening to their monthly demos, covers, and sessions which have all told the story that the sound was going this way.
This EP is really something. AGs vocals and Melodies have never sounded this good. Not sure I want this synth led version of circa for the next full length but I hope this gives them the confidence to keep experimenting.
checking out videos of the california shows. looks like steve is still MIA. hmm. anyone know what's up with javier subbing in?
Well I'm in the extreme minority on this apparently, but I don't love this the way everyone else seems to. I definitely do like it (especially Drift and Sleep Well) and I'll be pissed if they don't explore/expand on this more on the forthcoming album, but this in itself just sounds like a less interesting Polyenso to me (with way better vocals, obviously). Granted a less interesting Polyenso is still cool as shit, but still I don't know I feel like there's a lot of unrealized potential on this EP.