Toronto’s versatile punk/metal band Sonic Scene Kids continues its upward trajectory with its sophomore full-length album, You Are Not Alone.
This collective of long-time local musicians formed just five months ago, and they’ve already crafted a sound known for celebrating nostalgia while exploring new sonic territories.
Their latest LP, You are not alone, builds on the momentum of their debut album, Live, Laugh, Toaster Bath. It takes listeners on a wild ride through relatable lyrics, energetic beats, and a sense of community that ties it all together.
The album starts with "Astro do-si-do," a chaotic burst of punk energy that sets the tone. The fast-paced guitar riffs and relentless drums are enough to get anyone moving, while the lyrics offer a sense of frantic escapism. It’s a high-energy opener perfectly capturing the band’s raw, unfiltered style.
"They're trying to kill me" follows up with a heavy, nostalgic rock edge, gritty guitar riffs, and aggressive vocals that create a rebellious anthem. There’s tension throughout the track that feels both personal and political, keeping us locked in for the ride.
In track three, "Crossfire" adds a metal flavor to the mix, injecting a bit of emotion and angst into the album’s darker themes. It’s a perfect example of Sonic Scene Kids’ ability to blend genres seamlessly, offering a peek into some of their heavier moments while still keeping the energy high.
"Fun me!" is all about irony, with upbeat tempos contrasting its satirical lyrics. The band’s knack for mixing humor with poignant themes shines through here, giving listeners a catchy tune layered with meaning.
On the heavier side, "Comatose" brings back the intensity with sludgy guitars and a dark, brooding atmosphere. The track pulls you into its depths, building up tension before exploding into a cathartic release.
Sonic Scene Kids are honestly hilarious, and their humor shines through on tracks like, "There’s something up my butt," one of the more 'eccentric' songs on the album, blending punk energy with a quirky sense of humor. It’s weird, it’s fun, and it’s a reminder to take the stick out your butt.
In song 7, "Echoes," we're met with a more reflective moment. Pulling back from the chaos for a moodier, atmospheric track that dives into self-reflection, the more relaxed yet still upbeat tempo and sharp vocals give the song a deeply passionate vibe, creating a stark contrast with the rest of the album’s lively tracks.
Next up is "Spiders," which cranks the energy back up with a fiery punk anthem. Fast, loud, and full of attitude, it’s a mosh pit-ready track that embodies the raw intensity of Sonic Scene Kids.
You might think "T. Swift stole my sandwich" is another funny standout, with its playful title and tongue-in-cheek attitude. But upon a deeper listen, it's one of the most personal, diary-esque songs on the album. It's a plea for help, wondering if one's truly alive or just going through the motions.
Landing on track 10, "Dark Daze" offers a deeper dive into mental health themes, tackling feelings of isolation and anxiety. The combination of heavy riffs and raw lyrics gives the track an emotional and powerful weight—bound to impact anyone who listens.
"Yes it is," keeps the energy alive with rolling drums that throw us into a sonic hellfire with heavy punk guitar riffs and the vocalist's sharp, raw vocals. It's another immersive, deeply relatable listening experience that sees the band questioning the relationships around them while trying to make it out alive.
In track 12, "Don’t look now," Sonic Scene Kids wrap up the heavier portion of the album with a deeply immersive, grunge-tinged punk energy that keeps us locked in for the ride. The lyrics are reflective and thought-provoking, giving listeners a moment to pause and reflect before the album's end.
Last but certainly not least, "Heaven - Acoustic" closes out the album on a more peaceful note. Stripped down and raw, the acoustic guitar and gentle vocals provide a soothing, reflective end to the somewhat 'chaotic' energy of the album. It’s a reminder that no matter how wild life gets, there's always something worth hanging on for.
Explore the versatile, dynamic musical stylings of Sonic Scene Kids' newest album, You are not alone, now available on all digital streaming platforms.
Welcome to Buzz, Sonic Scene Kids! We love the energy and raw honesty in your recent album, You are not alone. What inspired you to create this dynamic project?
After we released our last album, we didn’t stop at all. We kept writing and recording the entire year. I think we wrote about 25 songs and then focused on 13 of them that felt like they worked together. We didn’t really know how to sum up the whole album with a name or concept.
But while we were recording and trying to get internet content, we bought an alien mask and used it to make funny reels. After a while, it just felt like we could keep that going and use it to promote the new album. “You are not alone” when you first hear it sounds positive. But putting an alien face on it means something completely different. We thought that was funny.
Regarding the overall sound of You are not alone, what genres, artists, or projects might have influenced you along the way?
I think we were mostly trying to be progressive with our writing. We didn’t want to change our sound, just build on what we’ve already done. We don’t really stick to one genre regarding our influences or what we are writing. I would say we definitely leaned more into the pop-punk genre with this album.
But we still don’t really know what genre we fit into. We don’t confine ourselves to one genre. If we write a song, we don’t really think about what genre it fits into. We just try to write the best song we can and let the listener decide what genre it fits into.
The track “There’s something up my butt” stands out with its quirky humor. How do you balance fun and serious themes in your music?
We don’t take ourselves too seriously. I find our music to be primarily upbeat, but the lyrics are really depressing. I’ve always liked that combo for a song. But we thought it would be funny to write a short funny song and put it almost in the middle of the album.
We don’t usually write funny songs. We have funny lyrics sometimes but not funny songs. We think it adds a little break in the album and reminds the listener not to take us too seriously.
Which song from You are not alone is your band's collective favorite, and why? What makes that song stand out to you?
I don’t think we have one. It changes for everyone all the time. We do love them all. There are songs that are a little more personal, and they stand out for sure. Astro do-so-do, Spiders, Crossfire, and Comatose stand out, but we love them all.
How is You are not alone different from your debut album, Live, laugh, toaster bath? What's different this time around?
We didn’t want to change our sound. We just wanted to find ways to perfect it if we could. I think what we put together achieved many of the goals we set for ourselves. We did change the way we recorded certain things.
We changed how the bass and drums were recorded. We experimented a lot with guitar sounds and different guitars as well. We produced the album ourselves again, but we think we made a cleaner, tighter album, and we want to keep building on that for future music as well.
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