HOWRU?, an emo rock from Denver, is back with an emotional gold mine single, "CHEMICAL MAKEUP." A gritty, soul-stained anthem that isn't afraid to wear its pain loud and proud, the track oozes with powerful raw energy and a sense of introspection, the way the name implies a chemical stain that just won't disappear. At one moment, characterized by the crunchy intro riff to the apologetic blast of the chorus, "CHEMICAL MAKEUP" echoes the cathartic aggression of Papa Roach and the infectious theatrical dread of My Chemical Romance.
There is also a consistent backbone of socially conscious punk grit. HOWRU? doesn't shy away from the dense, atmospheric layers that Bring Me the Horizon fans will know and love. Under all the angst and atmospheric thunder is a hopeful heartbeat, a light flickering at the end of a loud, dark tunnel. "CHEMICAL MAKEUP" may tackle emotional scars and the personal truths we tend to bury, but the band lets you know there's strength in the revelation. There's healing in honesty.
This meditation is on the unseen marks left by emotional experience, the stains that will never be lifted. And, rather than fleeing from them, HOWRU? faces them with a defiant roar, providing you with more than a soundtrack for your inner turmoil but a lifeline. There's a certain refreshing universality to their sound, too. Tied to the tradition of Emo Rock, HOWRU? doesn't turn off the casual listener. Their hooks are infectious, the dynamics tight, the production slick but not any less sharp. This is one of those tracks you can scream in your car or sit in your headphones, alone, with only the lyrics to remind you that you're not alone. With "CHEMICAL MAKEUP," HOWRU? is creating their own spot. And if this single is anything to go by, they're only just beginning.
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