Girl at the Rock Shows

Should I be frantically packing and cleaning for Riot Fest? Absolutely, but that’s not what’s going to bring me joy right now, and trying to find the balance of productivity and anxiety over leaving is a delicate balance. I need a break for not only my body, but also my mind, so now feels like the perfect time to check out ‘Scarlet Springs,’ the brand new, debut EP from This Space Is Ours.

This five-song EP kicks off with the title track, “Scarlet Springs.” The opening of this track is beautifully crafted. It was calm and, honestly, the first point in today where I felt like I could finally breathe. I was lost in the beauty, if only for a few seconds, to the point where when the full band came in on this track, it almost felt shocking. That shock was a good thing because the amount of power that this band hit me with sent chills up my spine. It was the perfect balance of the beauty laid out in the first few seconds with something more powerful and commanding. I was instantly hooked by the lyrics. It was one line in particular that really got me: “Put on a blindfold when the monsters come out biting.” It’s a simple line, but the amount of depth in that line alone puts the power and genius of This Space Is Ours into perspective.

“Accountability” is the second track on this album, and it completely changes the game. This song almost has a slight rap-metal kind of influence behind it in the vocal style, but you still get that perfect balance of beauty and power that This Space Is Ours does so well. The driving beat made this the perfect post-nap track for me. It’s not that I’m not excited for my show of the night tonight, I’m actually stoked, but the stress of the weekend is taking over, and I’m dreading having to leave the house. This song got me in the mood to leave, and it got me in the mood for the energized crowd I will surely find myself in tonight at The Palace Theatre for the Viagra Boys show. Much like the words that had me hooked in “Scarlet Springs,” the lyrics of this song are pretty tongue-in-cheek at face value, but if you think about it a bit more, this song is a truly powerful and important political statement in a way that just makes it that much better.

The beginning of “The Construct” instantly reminded me of I Set My Friends On Fire. It has a playful energy to it, but quickly gives way to the stunning emotion of This Space Is Ours. Much slower-moving than “Accountability,” I like how this shows a more intentional, less party-feeling side of the band. Don’t get me wrong, this is another straight banger of a track, and it’s full of power, but the emotion is staggering here, and the way that the emotion comes from the instrumentation and vocals alike really drives it all straight into your soul. Something about this track that really stood out to me was the chorus. It was anthemic and slightly familiar, but only in the tone. The tender and comforting power made it unlike anything else I’ve ever experienced.

“Help Me” was an instant favorite of mine, and I wish I could tell you why, but even after listening to this song a few times, I still can’t. Some of it could be due to the way the vocals feel so light, angelic, and organic, but the instrumentation feels heavy, ornate, and ominous. This juxtaposition is something that can be heard throughout the album, but it’s particularly brought to the forefront in this fourth track, and I just couldn’t get enough of it. I may not have all the right words to describe this song, but I know that it had me hooked, and after just one listen to this track in particular, you will also be hooked.

‘Scarlet Springs’ closes out with “Picture Perfect Paper People.” This is the longest track on the album, clocking in at just over five minutes, and it is also the most epic. This is one of those “storytelling songs” that goes through so many movements and moods that it’s hard to believe that a band can fit so much into just one track, but again, the pure talent and genius of This Space Is Ours makes it seem so easy. I had to know more about this song to write about it because, again, I found myself lost for words, but felt that it wasn’t fair to the band to just say that again, so I looked up the video (which can be found HERE and below). The video really adds the special sauce to this song. It’s creepy but beautiful. Bold and powerful but soft and subtle. I think part of me was expecting the members of this band to look a bit over the top. There’s just something so theatrical and dramatic about their sound, so I was a bit surprised to see that the members of this band, when shown in shots of the group playing in the video, just look like people who could easily be friends of mine. I feel like that says a lot more about this band than I ever could. They make music that is mystical, dark, and epic, but, at the end of the day, the music is relatable and hits straight to the core because the members of this band are just like you or me– people who are trying to express themselves through art and music, and, hot damn, they nailed it.

TL;dr: ‘Scarlet Springs’ from The Space Is Ours will undoubtedly give you chills. What will cause those chills is a bit uncertain. Will it be the sheer emotional power of this band? Or will it be the stunning beauty behind them? Either way, this band is worth your attention. If you don’t think their overall sound is for you, I urge you to get lost in the emotion.

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