Circus Trees – This makes me sad, and I miss you

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It is my utmost pleasure to introduce everyone to Circus Trees, a relatively new emo band comprised of Finola (vocals/guitars), Edmee (bass) and Eoghan (drums/guitars) McCarthy, who are already making their mark on the indie scene. The band has been releasing music since 2018, and their latest release called This makes me sad, and I miss you is a solid collection of post-rock, grunge and lo-fi music. The record was produced by Eoghan and Finola, and it showcases their growth as musicians and artists with a clear vision for their music. Their sound is similar to the punk brashness of Bully, the lyrical depth of Soccer Mommy, and the indie emo of Momma and Snail Mail. Circus Trees may just be the next great undiscovered band, but they won’t be hidden for much longer if this album is any indication of their future plans.

The album kicks off on a somber note with “More Than You Can Ask For,” that is largely constructed around an acoustic guitar. Lead vocalist Finola McCarthy explains, “I’m empty / She left me / More than you could ask for / Through trap doors / And some effort / More than you could ask for.” The vocals are layered with lush harmonies and the band members make sure each lyric resonates long after the song is played out. Circus Trees begin to accelerate with momentum on “Getting Old” as they add in some drums from Eoghan McCarthy before pushing the depth of their sound through electric guitars and bass. The album continues to gain its footing with “Negative Feedback” as Finola commands the song with her vocal presence and showcases her ability to convey a wide range of emotions in her lyrics.

My personal favorite in the set comes in the form of the raucous rocker, “Alone,” that features some great electric guitars paired with confident vocals. The first chorus of, “I never thought I’d go so slow / But I’m fading in and out like a thin shadow / Take me back when I had tomorrow / ‘Cause maybe I’m not so bad when I’m alone,” is an indication of the lyrical prowess showed on this album that is more mature beyond the band’s years. “Save Yourself” brings the tempo back down to a comfortable speed that Circus Trees seem accustomed to, while “Trap Door” is a solid rocker that features some grunge-tinged guitars paired with seething, self-deprecating lyrics of, “‘Cause I’m falling through the trap door / And don’t stop me not anymore / Just use me like your sycamore / And abuse me so i can’t grow more.” The heavy bass lines by Edmee McCarthy help complement the electric guitars, while Eoghan’s drumming remains interesting with the unique fills offered.

The atmospheric elements introduced on “I’m A Person Too” continue to highlight what makes Circus Trees unique in the indie emo scene as they experiment with different sounds to convey just the right intended emotions. Other tracks in the back half like “3 Times” and “Simple Things” continue to accentuate the “wise beyond their years” approach to their songwriting craft, with some cool indie rock tricks thrown into the mix. “Wish I Was Fine” finds Finola hoping for better days ahead, while the album closer of “How Strong Can You Last” is a teary-eyed confession of wanting to be the better person in a relationship. The closing lyrics of, “And I said I’ll do my best / Not to push myself to the edge / But God already did / And you are so strong, but how strong can you last / When I constantly have been ruining our past / And I just won’t try ‘cause I guess that I might / Leave you alone again / And I can’t leave you alone / Again,” are a painful reminder of the complexities of life and relationships.

Circus Trees have quickly shown why they have been garnering some immediate praise for their work on This makes me sad, and I miss you. The band are developing their craft at a steady pace and I will be watching their career unfold with great interest.

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