Keep Planting Flowers sees the Californians debuting on the sturdy SharpTone Records. The production is snug and larger than life and is complemented nicely by an overall sound that breeds a thumping, adrenaline-fueled orgy.
From the get-go, “We All Die Anyway” is a solid textbook STYG album opener. The outfit has jam-packed this record with sultry melodies and aggressive heft all at once. In other words, perfectly stank riffing abounds.
At times, the guitar chugs play maestro to a capacity crowd of ravenous lunatics. Keep Planting Flowers possesses an attraction that is like a moth to a flame, fruit flies to vinegar.
The title track is a captivating, Metalcore-style ballad that provides a bit of balance without jeopardizing the complete bombast of the long-player. “Permanent Dark” is certified spin-kick fuel.
The siren-esque wailing intro tones to “Spineless” progress into an Industrial-sounding, brash number that boasts harsh and clean vocals working in tandem. Its punchy energy is a delectable appetizer for the Michelin-star main course to come.
With all of these elements considered, it’s worth noting that Keep Planting Flowers is very much intended to be a positive take on the negatives life consistently produces. And that’s pretty easy to detect once the album moves forward and the excitement builds.
Stick To Your Guns are eight full-lengths into a frankly exhilarating career. And with them starting the new year on a new label, it’s safe to assume there are only greater things to come from this five-piece.
And I am fucking here for it.
Buy the album here:
https://bfan.link/keep-planting-flowers
9 / 10
MATT COOK
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