One Step Closer makes it very apparent early in their new album, All You Embrace, that they will not be pigeonholed to a single genre.  The Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, band is back with their second full-length album which expands their hardcore sound further into alternative, emo, and beyond.  The 1-2 punch of Color You and Leap Years kicksoff the album with harsh vocals in the verses that attest to their hardcore background while containing huge, clean choruses.

The band has clearly placed an importance on their songwriting which is evidenced by the two separate writing sessions they did with Isaac Hale (Knocked Loose) and Mat Kerekes (Citizen).  Knocked Loose and Citizen are among the most popular and critically acclaimed bands in the hardcore and post-hardcore genres, respectively, and collaborating with these talented musicians from bands on verydifferent points of the musical spectrum has paid off in spades on All You Embrace.

The song on this album that is perhaps the best depiction of the band’s overall sound is its centerpiece, Orange Leaf.  At barely over two and a half minutes, Orange Leaf is fast and catchy and a great encapsulation of everything the band does well.

It would be borderline malpractice to only name one single standout song as there are several.  Blur My Memory, which features a breakdown, dual vocals, and keys in the outro is not only a standout because it sounds great but more so for its lyrics.  “Then blur my memory/keep it on your shelf/I’m used to spending days/running from myself” and “I’ll drown in angst/but not today/the choice was made/to set myself free” are highlights.  If this was the mid-2000s, we would be seeing a lot of AIM away messages featuring One Step Closer quotes in the coming weeks.  Every listener is going to find lyrics to connect to as the lyrics on this album touch on universal themes including failure, despair, and ultimately, hope.

Esruc (to save you some time – this is the word “curse” backward) has an absolutely massive chorus that rivals any in hardcore, emo, and alternative this year.  An accessible song like this will undoubtedly win over new fans while continuing to please the old ones.

All You Embrace culminates with two closing tracks that are even stronger than the opening tracks.  Giant’s Despair features crushing, relatable lyrics such as “Did I fail the life I’ve been through now” and “Failed you once more/why’s it hard to figure out” We have all experienced failure and the valleys in life that accompany it.  What’s important is that we don’t dwell in the valley for long.  One Step Closer climbs out of that metaphorical valley in the cathartic closer, So Far From Me, with the chorus “But when it swallows me whole tonight/I’ll just keep on running”  The screamed “Goodbye” at the end of the chorus makes this song an excellent sendoff to a stunning album.  

Hopefully, this is not a long goodbye as One Step Closer fans will surely be eager to see what the band has in store next to push the envelope.  Until then, here are eleven incredible tracks that deserve many repeated listens.

Rating: 9/10

Release Date: May 17, 2024

Tracklisting:

1) Color You

2) Leap Years

3) Blur My Memory

4) The Gate

5) Your Hazel Tree

6) Orange Leaf

7) Esruc

8) Slow to Let Go

9) Topanga

10) Giant’s Despair

11) So Far From Me

Reviewed by Andrew Bachna