There’s something sorely nostalgic about No More Sound. Even in the tracks glittered with anthemic pop-punk energy and buoyant guitar, the third LP from California quartet Sad Park taps into the worries that most of us in our young adult years often would rather not think about: how much time we have, how we’re spending it, and who we’re spending it around.
Opening with No More Songs, acoustic guitar and hushed vocals from Graham Steele give a short but overall picture of what we're about to get into. There’s undoubtedly an underlying melancholy and profoundness to this record. But as soon as things pick up with Always Around, you're thrown into crashing cymbals and galloping guitar as he unpacks FOMO and friendships, and it’s clear things aren't just going to be sad songs on loop.
One of the most refreshing takes from the band is Carousel, despite it being one they nearly scrapped altogether. It mixes a big and crashing instrumental chorus with slow mumbled verses, and even a shrill, high neck vibrating guitar solo. Desperation and urgency is peppered in Graham’s vocals, spurring a complete paradox of emotions. It’s one of the band’s most interesting experiments yet.