This follows up their previous song ‘Strangers On the Train’ from earlier this year. Both songs are available via Hopeless Records.

Last year the band went on an indefinite break following the release of their second album ‘First Day Back’ on Hopeless Records. We’ll keep our eyes peeled on further additional possible new material from the Boston indie/emo rockers. For now, check out the new track below.

The Boston rock band released their second studio album, ‘First Day Back’, earlier this year via Hopeless Records.

The song will be available as part of a 2 track cassette up for grabs at the opening show of their upcoming tour.

Starting in their hometown, the foursome will be taking their sentimental sound across America throughout August and September alongside Free Throw and High Waisted.

Check out the tour poster below:

“We actually shot the video in the house Justin and I live in,” Frontman Michael Fiorentino told Fuse, who premiered the video. “We were brainstorming a bunch of different settings, and finally thought, “why not just do it where we live?” I think we were able to get more comfortable as a result, and the director Erik Rojas really killed it.”

As soon as the introduction ‘Slow Walk To The Graveyard Shift’ begins, it feels as if Somos have jumped the shark. Electronic drums, autotuned vocals, almost non-existent guitars, it’s tempting to feel like you’ve put the wrong record on. ‘Violent Decline’, though, picks things up and once the full band kicks in, it feels like Somos are back. Okay, sure, experimentation is great, but this is more like it. Driving drums and bass force the song ahead, whilst tapped guitar hooks lend something interesting and the ending is a huge, crashing pop-punk classic.

‘Thorn In The Side’ continues where ‘Violent Decline’ left off and you begin to forget about the initial out of place introduction. As Fiorentino sings “There are no refugees from a victimless crime”, Minus The Bear-esque guitar hooks sit behind him as drummer Evan Deges impresses, playing fast and hard throughout. The breakdown sounds like it was lifted straight from ‘Menos El Oso’ and Somos do well to integrate this into their sound. ‘Problem Child’ brings the tempo down, sounding like a cross between Turnover and A Great Big Pile of Leaves, which can only be a good thing. This, unfortunately, is where the positives end for the record.

‘Days Here Are Long’ and ‘You Won’t Stay’ are two songs that feel like filler; short interludes that stand out, and not in a positive way. Progression and development are laudable, for sure, but Somos seem to have made a huge departure from what brought them so much praise the first time round. Instead of being interesting, a lot of the changes that Somos have brought about just serve to make them bland and uninspiring. The record is eleven songs long, but that includes an introduction, two brief electronic interludes and an acoustic intermission.  The record is just flat out disappointing, the songwriting feels rushed whilst the production seems completely overdone. Fiorentino’s vocals are too separate in the mix and all of the electronic elements that have been incorporated feel forced and contrived.

For a band of Somos’ huge talent, as evidenced by their debut, ‘First Day Back’ is a real let down and feels like a huge step backwards for a band releasing an album on a label of Hopeless Records’ calibre.

CONOR MACKIE

[Source]

“We are very proud of ‘First Day Back’,” says vocalist and bassist Michael Fiorentino. “Musically, I think it represents a step forward and highlights a number of new influences and styles. In terms of lyrics, I attempted to incorporate themes of alienation and struggle but also resistance and resilience. We live in trying times, but it’s important to keep in mind that the immense challenges we face as a society exist alongside green shoots of hope. This record is dedicated to all revolutionaries and freedom fighters the world over.”

‘First Day Back’ is available to pre-order now either physically or digitally.

TRACKLISTING:
01 Slow Walk to the Graveyard Shift
02 Violent Decline
03 Thorn in the Side
04 Problem Child
05 Reminded/Weighed Down
06 Days Here are Long
07 Room Full Of People
08 You Won’t Stay
09 Alright, I’ll Wait
10 Bitter Medicine
11 Lifted from the Current

The excellent new album by Boston’s Somos is streaming in full over at Brooklyn Vegan.

Somos are signed to the increasing Tiny Engines roster, alongside the likes of The Hotelier and Signals Midwest.

‘Temple of Plenty’ was recoded at Cannon Found Soundation Recording Studios during the summer of last year with Jesse Cannon and Mike Oettinger (The Menzingers, Transit, Man Overboard).

The record is available to pre-order via Tiny Engines, or via the band’s official BandCamp page.

It’s early days, but it’s already looking like Somos might feature on some of our staff members’ end of year lists.