Hailing from Toronto, Canada, Harbour lay the bricks of a bridge to a gleaming future with their latest four-track release, the All My Exes Are Dead To Me EP.
As the record starts with “In Her Words”, Harbour successfully encase you into an attentive headspace with blistering blast beats and a distinct bass tone which coyly pokes your eardrums. The coils are in motion and you are gripped anxiously anticipating the sign to stop holding your breath and breathe. The anticipation proves to be worth it as you’re rewarded by the presence and resonance of James Mittendorf’s voice. Although the song envelopes a self-defeated demeanour (“I don’t deserve any bit of happiness in my life”) a charming pursuit of comfort can be heard rooted in Mittendorf’s voice.
“Everything That You’re Not” is nothing short of refreshing from the aforementioned track. However, “Everything That You’re Not” is a cruel tease from its duration which barely clocks in at 2:20. In this time Harbour impressively uphold their ability to pervade intensity within the exhilarating tempo that the track thrashes at.
The title-track on the EP is the brightest moment on the record where infectious refrains of the words “all my exes are dead to me, I took some time and thought of every single memory of those who fucked me over...” ensues. Harbour employs their best qualities with a sense of boldness, which is tenfold on the title-track from the technical counter-melodies of guitar licks and classic gang vocals, reverberating with triumph. Triumph is apt when considering “All My Exes Are Dead To Me” as the song acts as a battlecry and song of hope for every person that has ever endured the lash and mauling slap at the hands of romance.
Closer “Better Days” draws the record to its curtain-call with a memorable sweeping sentiment of the counter-productive side of nostalgia with the last strands of sincerity.
All My Exes Are Dead To Me is an encapsulating effort, which helps towards cementing the notion of a strong strand of pop punk that is surfacing within Canada, with a wealth of acts from Living With Lions to Seaway. On All My Exes Are Dead To Me Harbour propel themselves to the top with the rest of their peers.
Tracklist:
1. In Her Words
2. Everything That You're Not
3. All My Exes Are Dead To Me
4. Better Days
RIYL: Real Friends (early), Carridale
Rating:
Written by Aaron Akeredolu
