Thotcrime : "CONNECTION ANXIETY"

 While this band might identify as cybergrind, the facts are there is a great deal of cyber, but no grind-core. Just having spastic tendencies, means you sound more like Mindless Self Indulgence. The backdrop of what for practical purposes is pop-leaning nu-metal is a tapestry of video game noises and anime soundtracks. It does not hit any harder than the theme of the song "My Hero Academia". There are screamed vocals for a few accented phrases here and there, but even at the most shrieking on "We Hope Some Good May Come of This" nothing is harder than Myspace-era screamo, and certainly nowhere near a band like Phobia or Nails. 

By the time we get to "This Podcast Could Have Been Four Seasons" things are disjointed and they are trying to be more aggressive than the sonic muscle they are capable of flexing. It is recommended that you listen to this album through headphones as you will pick on more of the subtle sound in the mix. "Garden Court" starts off with a mellow pop feel and throws itself into a punk temper tantrum, then back into the pop hook in a manner that is a lot like what SeeYouSpaceCowboy does. The more pop-oriented vocal hook works best for them.  "the Wrong Way" has more of a self-pitying whine to the vocals. Lyrically it sounds like he is just complaining to his mom. It's hard to take that narrative seriously. But what works for this song is the pop groove.

"Connection Anxiety" sounds like a less ballsy Glassjaw. With electronic blips and beeps replacing hard-core tendencies. "Existent' has a rapped verse which finds it crossing the line into nu-metal more intentionally. This is the sonic touch they needed as the other songs were working too comfortably with the safe formula. "Beyond the Journey's End" opens with more video game music before shifting into a nu-metal disco, which is hooky enough to still be effective. The last song goes for a higher energy drive, but I think a little self-awareness goes a long way as they do pop better than heavy and would be better off if they left heavy as a window dressing like Pierce the Veil. It's just playing to your strengths. This is pop punk for gamers at best.  I will give this album an 8.5, if you think your mom is picking on you and love video games then this album is for you. This drops on Prosthetic Records. 

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