Music is oftentimes a powerful outlet that people use to process their emotions, whether by listening to it or in the case of Southtowne Lanes, creating it.

Eugene, Oregon’s Southtowne Lanes returns with their excellent new album, Take Care – their first new material in over 8 years.   This album was in large part inspired by the sudden passing of vocalist and guitarist Matt Kupka’s father in September 2021 and tackles themes including loss, grief, and hope.

The opening track, “Never Coming Home,” is instantly memorable with vocals reminiscent of Jim Adkins (Jimmy Eat World) transitioning to a sound not far removed from My Chemical Romance.  This song feels familiar yet new at the same time.  The screaming in the song’s bridge drives home the point that this is not a band to be confined to a single genre.  Fans of alternative rock, emo, and hardcore should all find something to love about this song.

Second track, “Witness,” is an aggressive, raw track with lots of screaming that is sure to be a fan favorite and a staple of their live shows going forward.  Barely Hanging On is bookended by piano passages and the section of the song in the middle is much more aggressive.  The clean vocals here bring to mind Benjamin Kowalewicz (Billy Talent).

The lead single “Go Cold” is another highlight on this album with a very catchy chorus (“and last time I checked/there’s a stain where the rooms connect/from the floor to the walls you were/never gonna give up your home”) that is sure to burrow into the listener’s brain and return frequently well after the song is over.  The band really flexes their hardcore muscles with impressive screaming here too.

One of the most memorable tracks on the back half of the album is “Reprieve”.  Its chorus is right up there with Go Cold in terms of catchiness and has the relatable lyrics “living every day feeling sorry for yourself/you’re gonna have to get up and tell someone else/I’m losing hope/I’m just wishing that you’re gonna hear me/I’m just wishing that you’re gonna save me/I’m just wishing that you’re gonna love me/I’m just hoping that you’ll see.”

The penultimate track, “Find Your God,” is a fast, aggressive song that is sure to bring to mind early Pianos Become The Teeth material.  The recording at the end of the song is devastating and will no doubt evoke tears from listeners who either sympathize or empathize with the loss of a parental figure.

The closing track, “Hurt All the Time,” starts out slowly and crescendos to an emotional, satisfying climax.  “I’m still singing/do you hear it even as you go?”  This lyric stands out as inspiration to keep pressing forward despite the many obstacles that life will throw our way.  

While having a runtime of just over 38 minutes, Take Care is a dense album that contains absolutely no filler.  There is a lot to unpack here,and listeners are sure to peel away layers of this album upon repeated listens.  This is an album that has already changed the lives of the band members and it is bound to leave its mark on fans of the band as well.

Rating: 9.1/10

Release Date: May 10, 2024

Tracklisting:

1) Never Coming Home

2) Witness

3) Barely Hanging On

4) Go Cold

5) Disappear

6) Reprieve

7) Take Flight

8) Find Your God

9) Hurt All the Time

Reviewed by Andrew Bachna