A chorus I occasionally hear from the types who listened to the radio before and curated (i.e., “purchased”) playlists/stations is that “music today is all the same and not as good as it was in my youth.” Sure, the songs shoved down your throat may feel more similar today than decades ago (though how many bands all sounded like Pearl Jam or Tool in 2001??), but for those willing to seek out individuality and creativity, the modern era is a boon. Look no further than Unwell, the most interesting pop punk and to come out since someone thought to add breakdowns (*coughs* New Found Glory was way before A Day To Remember). Theatricality is a term thrown around when a band slaps an orchestral backdrop, but Allegoria is stirring, transportive, and above all, damn impossible to get out of your head.
Vocalist Matt Copley shares how that came about:
“We went into this album process knowing we wanted to try something very unique that hasn’t been done before. We really wanted to focus on carving our own unique path. The last thing we wanted to do was make another radio rock song that sounds like the rest. The musicality of this album was created naturally in the studio. Again, we didn’t define anything upfront as far as creative direction goes, but as we kept writing more music, a theme started to emerge, and that’s when we really homed in on our influences and storyline for the album. We think the result is quite remarkable, and again, unique as shit. We don’t hear anyone else making this kind of music right now.
That unique element? Musicals, baby:
“Musicals have absolutely influenced our identity,” Copley says. “Growing up in theatre and getting my bachelor’s degree in musical theatre, I have always appreciated the stage spectacle. I love a huge production. I always think of Unwell’s music as if it’s a huge production. I hope one day soon we’re able to have the budget and stage space to create a huge stage spectacle of a performance: grand orchestras, intense staging, choreography, a massive set, and lighting designs.”
Allegoria is out Friday and you can preorder it from Pure Noise Records. Follow Unwell on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok for future updates.
Photo Credit: Hailey Saterstad-Destefano
