deathcrash: Somersaults

"deathcrash began nearly a decade ago as a dreary slowcore band whose songs could last 15 minutes and whose suffering seemed to span 15 eternities. Somersaults, their sharpest-sounding release, continues a trajectory they began on 2023's Less: attempting to broach existential burdens with simpler, more conventional songcraft."

"But while deathcrash masters this rich source material on Somersaults, their turn away from ethereal art-rock and toward sad-boy balladry sacrifices the complex worldbuilding that once made them singular."

"When Tiernan Banks lets loose with the distinctive drawl of Julian Casablancas circa 2003 on 'NYC,' the song's title only cements the likeness. It's not the only time the band pulls off this trick on its third record. From these post-rock gnostics, such a pastiche of indie rock past is perhaps an unexpected turn."

deathcrash, a London-based band, releases Somersaults, their third album, marking a significant shift from their origins as a dreary slowcore band toward more conventional indie rock songcraft. The album features references to bands like The Strokes and artists like Duster, with tracks such as 'NYC' showcasing vocalist Tiernan Banks' Julian Casablancas-inspired drawl. This direction continues the trajectory begun on their 2023 album Less, streamlining their approach to existential themes while maintaining grief-centered lyrics. While Somersaults demonstrates technical mastery and sharp production, the band's move toward accessible sad-boy balladry represents a trade-off, as their new sound prioritizes emulating established indie rock styles over the singular, complex worldbuilding that previously defined their artistic identity.

Read at Pitchfork