I’ll Stop Now is the debut EP from St. Louis band, Soft Crisis. This alt-rock collective opens their eight-track record with a shoegaze-esque track entitled “Shelter.” The arpeggio in the introduction is dark and deliciously catchy. Distorted, warbling electric guitar leads into moody, forlorn vocals that harbor a hint of beauty beneath the sadness. Even in the melody itself, there’s a glimmer of light and hope, amidst the darkness. As a big Radiohead fan, I’m always a fan of music that offers slivers of hope in a sullen sound, and Soft Crisis certainly seems to be a band that has mastered that art.

“Shelter” kicks things off in the right way. The song features a winning combination of textures and tones. It sounded similar to 90’s indie rock. There were a couple of different band’s that came to mind, all of which I listened to extensively. The song is catchy and bursts with an undeniable energy. 

“Erode” shows that Soft Crisis knows how to compose a catchy electric guitar arpeggio, opening with another distorted guitar line, which bursts into life with punchy guitar and enigmatic vocals. I really like the hook in the chorus on this one. These guys have a real sense for ear-worms; the melody is incredibly satisfying. I was also really impressed by the lead guitar on this track. There are some fierce solos. This is a band that really knows how to throw down some scorching guitar lines.

Continuing the trend of one-word track names, Soft Crisis offers something a little warmer with “Fractions.” The pace, the punchy drums and the electrifying guitar are all still there, as are the melodic vocals, but there’s something a little more “indie” and uplifting about this track. I also realized, for the first time, what comes to mind when I listen to Staitieh’s soothing vocals. I was reminded of Julian Casablancas, but I mean that in the best possible way. Soft Crisis still has an utterly unique sound, and they simply display their alt-rock influences in little glimpses throughout the record.
I really enjoyed I’ll Stop Now. It toes the line between light and dark. Yes, there’s a lot of darkness to this EP, and there are plenty of downtrodden moments, but the joyous vocals, punchy beats and electrifying guitars all help to give a jubilant vibe to even the most sorrowful melodies on the release.

Author

Leave a Comment on If you’re not listening to Soft Crisis’ “I’ll Stop Now”, you’re missing out!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *