Local Glastonbury, Connecticut-based band Subject Bloom recently dropped their debut release, “The Blank Canvas EP.” The two-piece band, made up of drummer Declan Zawrotny and guitarist and lead singer Ryan Bernhart, released the EP last Friday, Oct. 18, after weeks of buildup. The “Blank Canvas” in question represents the new start of the band and the potential for their musical future unburdened by an expected style or characteristic tone.
The project’s first track, a more subtle song named “Walk Through Quiet,” starts light, featuring an introductory arpeggiated riff from Bernhart leading into a section of soft strumming and drumming. The song is heavily instrumental with heavier choruses that feature a grittier guitar sound familiar to those listeners of other rock groups like “Royal Blood” or “The Hives.” The lyrics focus on themes of miscommunication that will persist throughout the project.
The EP continues with “Void,” which immediately introduces a higher energy, fast-paced rhythm that it maintains throughout most of the track. The heavy crashing hits of the cymbals and hi-hat contrast heavily with the softer, spaced-out cross-stick feel of the previous track. Between the drums, long-struck overdriven guitar tone and what seems to be multitracked chorused effects on the voice of Bernhart this song presents a much fuller sound, capped off with a large buildup and smashing finish. Yet, after the dust has settled and the cymbals have quieted down the song continues with a much more reflective, softer and open-ended riff that gradually ebbs and flows like lullaby into the next track.
“Nail Polish” immediately differentiates itself with the steady swaying feel of the 6/8-time signature. The rhythm of the first half of the song is accentuated by the distinct accentuation of the guitar and rapid-fire lyrics that seem to be building towards a release. The drums come in fast and hard around two minutes in, signaling a shift in tone with the bridge to the final chorus, which features a special sparkling glockenspiel melody over the rest of the band.
In a way heavily resembling an army marching chant, the beginning of “Deceit” starts with punchy lyrics and smooth bass drum hits. The most angsty song in the album, by way of the dynamic contrast between the stripped-back verses and pumped choruses, adds extra layers to the song, while the drums hold a steady head-banging beat throughout. Arguably the most fun song on this record, this short two-minute track stands out among the others in terms of sheer feel-good energy.
“Hangman” keeps up the style of this record while raising the stakes and tension as the album makes its way to its final few tracks. If the rest of the songs before this could be defined by a certain “restrained” characteristic, this is the song where the breaks come off. In the most extreme crescendo with the repeated call of the title’s namesake, the guitar is pushed forward with the harshest tone seen so far in the album while steadily rising higher and higher alongside explosive drumming pushing the tempo. The song ends with a dramatic breakdown of a slowed-down repetition of the main riff with hard and heavy coordinated hits to add extra effect.
“Adam Lovelace and the San Francisco All-Stars” caps off the release with easily the most interesting song title of the entire album. A drum-heavy song, the final track enters with a solo breakdown from the percussion before going into a wistfully nostalgic riff fit for an ending.
The two members come together for the first time on the vocals to tell a story of broken-down barriers and the consequences that come with letting someone else in. The ending of the track continues in the style of its direct predecessor, ending off with a bang in what can only be described as the most raw moment of the album, featuring strained screaming vocals from both artists. The crash of the drums and resounding hum of the bass echo out signaling the end of the album.
As Faye Webster said when talking about her empty white walls, this blank canvas set out by Subject Bloom is ready to be filled. Through the stripped-back, raw sounds of this local duo, Connecticut listeners will have much to look to as the band starts to develop its style and sound within the genre. The potential of this blank canvas remains to be fully seen, but for now, this is a good start to the scene.
Rating: 3.5/5