Actor and musician Tyler Posey independently released his first full-length effort Unravel on May 22, a 16-track project that spends many genres and sees Posey experimenting with sound and genre on a wide scale.
From previously released single “Lemon”— which premiered in the original movie Teen Wolf: The Movie on Paramount Plus— to other previously released single “Runnin’” and newer track “Attic,” the album navigates deep-rooted anxiety, fame, and personal growth.
Co-produced by Goldfinger frontman John Feldmann, the album spans the pop punk genre and latches onto the sound of bands such as Sum 41, Blink 182, Alkaline Trio, and Nirvana. Taking the influence of the early and mid-aughts pop-punk scene and bringing it into the 2020s, the tracks do more than delight one’s inner pop punk fan. They also see Posey coming out on the other side of trauma, setting himself free from the hell that made up his personal life in 2020. With this album, Posey is standing alone under the bright lights of Hollywood for the first time, which offers scrutiny and fame simultaneously.
Posey may seem like a new musician, but his time in the spotlight dates back over a decade of acting and appearing in shows such as Teen Wolf and Truth or Dare. Posey was also a member of multiple bands such as Five North and PMVNTS, choosing to take a bold step and become a solo artist. Through this new chapter, Posey explores the trauma and self-destruction that colored his life during the early days of the COVID pandemic. Although discussing one’s trauma and mental health in music is seen as the norm in the modern rock world, the subject matter of Posey’s album comes from an authentic, personal place. Grappling with resurfaced childhood trauma, anxiety, and isolation, Posey struggled with self-destructive patterns of drug and alcohol abuse. Imprisoned by the physical restrictions of COVID and isolated inside of his home, Posey produced an album’s worth of tunes that discuss isolation, reflection, and toxicity. Through honest reflection and head-banging, pop punk instrumentals, Posey breaks free and sees a life beyond the anxiety and the allure of the Hollywood sign.
The aggressive opener “Get Out Alive” starts out with screamed vocals and an uptempo instrumental reminiscent of early Green Day, while “Lemon” sees Posey contemplate the importance of his life decisions and the different paths that are available to him, with the video featuring different versions of Posey. Confident in its vocal tone, the song emphasizes the message of tiny decisions making significant impacts on one’s life.
“Runnin'” takes things in a slightly different direction with a tongue-in-cheek lyrical approach. Utilizing sounds of the Pacific Ocean, “Runnin'” is the laid-back anthesis to the punk-oriented tracks on the album, showcasing a different side of the artist. A great track for a long summertime walk on the beach or elsewhere, listeners will almost feel the sand bunch up in between their toes and the wind rake through their hair as they listen to this song.
“Gravity” is softer in tone at the start, with the airy intro giving way to the energetic performance of a love letter. The first song Posey wrote with fellow rocker and partner Phem, “Gravity” shows the power of love and support in the lives of those who suffer from hardship and addiction. Another track with a softer feel, “Sing” is a melancholy ballad that sees Posey showing his vocal range and expressing grief over someone he has lost. Blending heavy emotions with soft instrumentals, the track hits all the right notes and acts as a vehicle to express the difficult, consuming feelings that one can struggle with concerning death.
The album’s pop punk feel is best showcased by “I Fall Alone,” a track that contains the familiarities of early aughts pop punk music: high-energy tempo, poignant lyrics, and guitars. Discussing Posey pining over someone and blaming himself for the relationship’s ultimate outcome, its smooth-throated pop-punk tone and screams make the song an instant hit. “Standing on The Edge” and “World Class Loser” are other pop-punk-laced tracks that are incredibly catchy and reminiscent of Blink-182 and other pop-punk titans.
The closer and title track “Unravel” ends on a softer, acoustic note, mixing all the influences seen on the album together. Combining every influence into one track is the perfect culmination of an amazing work of art that provokes questions around the definition of the genre, makes listeners face trauma with an eye towards growth, and sees Posey individuate in his music career by putting his own stamp on the pop punk genre.
Overall, this album has something for everyone—The tracks span genres such as screamo hardcore punk, pop punk, and chill beach music—to illustrate the breadth of Posey’s journey. With its versatility, vulnerability, and catchy instrumentals, Posey shows his musical range and ability to craft deep, thought-provoking tunes that are danceable. A breath of fresh air to new pop-punk fans and nostalgic for those who are fans of the early-aughts scene, the record is an enjoyable, thoughtful, reflective ride.
Photo courtesy of Big Picture Media
