Envelope yourself in Basement Revolver’s warming and bittersweet album, Embody.
There are times when I believe I am well-versed in the local music scene, and then other days I feel like I have been living under a rock. Discovering Hamilton’s Basement Revolver in my own backyard was a bit like a gentle slap to the face. They have been gliding under my radar or above the rock I’ve been living under; either way I never heard them coming.
Basement Revolver’s 2022 album, Embody, has been on repeat in my home for the past month. It is full of dreamy tones, soft vocals, and loving lyrics. The opening song, “Skin” sets the tone for the whole album with layers of instrumental pieces and a bittersweet message of finding yourself after never feeling comfortable in your own body. “Be Okay” plays with rhythm and harder guitar and drum parts. All throughout, Chrisy’s voice is the perfect soft counterpoint that carries a warmth even through the rest of the band’s distorted tones.
“Circles” and “Slow” both give me chills every time I listen to them. Specifically, the lyrical content in “Circles” and the pleading wall of sound in “Slow” which then builds into “Blackhole.” I don’t want to guess what any of these songs are about, but they’re each complex and full of emotions that are clearly raw despite the carefully crafted sounds on each track.
“Storm,” “Transatlantic,” and “Dissolve” feel like a turning point in the album. The gentle vocals and enveloping instrumentals continue, but instead of pleading and pain, these three songs feel slightly uplifting compared to the rest of the album. It is in this part of the album that I always feel the most comforted. Basement Revolver may not know what their audience is going through, but they sure know how to give each and every listener a reassuring sonic hug before sending them into the next round of heartbreak.
I’m not really sure how to explain “Tired,” except that it speaks to an insecurity that I think a lot of people have. I think everyone needs to listen to this one and interpret it in a way that works best for them.
“Tunnel Vision” stands out from the rest of the tracks. Basement Revolver took a turn into a bit of a dreamscape where nothing seems right. The vocals, with their layers and subtle effects, suit the lyrics perfectly. The drums, bass, and guitar understood what was needed to make the track even more surreal. It’s a good break before the final track.
Basement Revolver ends off their album with “Long Way.” It’s a stark piece about the passage of time. It carries a little bit of the surreal feeling from “Tunnel Vision,” it always leaves me feeling like I need more, and it is honestly a disturbing and visceral way to end the album. Luckily, there is more to counteract the goosebumps that come from that quiet guitar feedback from the end of the track.
Just this year, Embody (Expanded) was released. It has all the tunes from the 2022 version of the album, plus two. The first, “Red Light,” is both fun and real. Nowadays, who isn’t struggling to make ends meet? The last thing you need is a red light ticket as a cherry on top. “Pull Yourself Together” feels like a positive way to end the album, so long as you don’t listen to the lyrics. The happy feeling coming from the key of the song contradicts the panic in the lyrics.
This whole album has become a piece of comfort for me as the summer months have been quite difficult. Like a warm blanket at the end of a long day, this album releases a tension you might not have realized was there. It is relatable, somber, and fulfilling all at once, and I can’t wait to hear what’s coming next from Basement Revolver. For now, I suppose I’ll have to dive into their prior releases.
