Based out of Pittsburgh, PA, alternative emo band I Swallow Ghosts is getting ready for a big year ahead, with some upcoming hometown shows on the books, small tours in the works, and most importantly a new record coming out. Deluxe Kick Bike, a 5-track EP, is set to release on March 15 this year, with several tracks releasing as singles even sooner. This release is definitely one to keep your eye on, particularly if you’re a fan of all things emo – which this record embodies in its impassioned and sincere songwriting, fast guitar techniques, and powerful vocals. According to band member Corey Scordo, this record breaks ground as their most “serious” yet, in both the literal sense of recording quality and the metaphorical. As Corey puts it, “This also might be the first time around I really wrote about some more serious subject matter”. He attributes his muse for the record as the band’s own drummer, Eli, who revitalized the group’s energy and inspired Corey to go on a writing spree. Of the many songs and demos he wrote, five made the cut and eventually came together to create what would later become Deluxe Kick Bike.
In true emo spirit, the opening song from the EP, “John Cena Later,” greets us with melodic guitar layered over a despairing monologue from one Andy Dwyer from sitcom Parks and Recreation. The lyrics evoke intense emotions, telling the fated story of yearning for an unrequited love in between catchy chord progressions. From the bridge to the conclusion of the song, the pace gradually picks up as elements are added thoughtfully and slowly. First comes the gentle distorted picking, layered with anthem vocals, then comes in the drums, one piece at a time. Starting us off with a bang, all this track is missing is a crowd clapping along in a sweaty, packed venue.
Quick melodies and twinkly riffs combined with more anthem vocals make the second song, “Mad Dog Mimosas”, arguably the most fun and danceable of the five. It’s catchy, and has a quality to it that makes it more than easy to imagine a crowd singing along. Anthem vocals tend to have that effect on me.
Noisy emo math rock with bright guitar riffs in the next song contrasts heavily with the nihilistic, depressing nature of its lyricism. Don’t get me wrong – that’s not a bad thing – in fact I’d argue that some of the best emo does this; It’s a hard balance to strike of keeping the energy while belting about life’s greatest woes: regrets, loss of hope, and stagnancy. I Found God In a Gym Parking Lot, an iconic title might I add, delivers in this regard with strong, emotive vocals and a banging instrumental to match.
More stripped down than its predecessors, Translucent Doesn’t Even Mean Invisible continues the record’s theme of melancholic, personal lyricism that many listeners can to relate to. However this one slows things down just a bit, swapping out the sparkly, embellished riffs for simple strumming, allowing the listener to focus on the poignant words and the clean vocals expressing them. The resulting mood is beautiful, creating a feeling I can only describe as a vulnerability and intimacy between the listener and the artist. This is Corey’s personal favorite from the record and I can certainly see why.
This entire EP has thus far done a great job of keeping in the scene’s tradition of creativity with song titling. I Think I’m Getting Dementia, Dude is certainly no different. Opening again with a sampled intro, this time from School of Rock, this final song brings the pace back up with an excellent drum performance and guitar that makes for an energetic song I want to listen to on a late night drive with the windows down.
Check out the singles John Cena Later on 1/31 and I Think I’m Getting Dementia, Dude on 2/21. You can stream my favorite track, I Found God In a Gym Parking Lot, or Corey’s pick, Translucent Doesn’t Even Mean Invisible when Deluxe Kick Bike hits streaming platforms early this spring on 3/15. This release is a contender to be one of my favorites of the year – be sure to keep an eye out and check it out!
FFO: twinkly emo riffs, goofy song titles, Marietta
The Diygest 
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