Album Review: Hawthorne Heights - Hate

Hawthorne Heights have endured a lot in their decade of being a band. From the tragic death of band member Casey Calvert, to constant legal complications with record labels. However, they have still managed to remain on the radar and despite all the complications, have released four successful albums. After releasing the much more experimental, 'Skeletons', Hawthorne Heights recently parted ways with Wind Up Records to take an independent route into releasing their music. The title, 'Hate', sums up the lyrical themes of the album as well as the overall sound.

Passing over the awkward, 'There Was A Kid (Part 1)' which admittedly does nothing to avert Hawthorne Heights' association with the emo genre featuring such lyrics as, "He tried to kill himself because he never had a friend", consistently and cringe-worthing reiterating the point that said kid, "Never had a friend". "Is this what you wanted?" feels schizophrenic in places, with JT Woodruff's clean verses being countered by Micah Carli's raw screaming, "Is this what you wanted?" could be seen as a return to their roots.

The much more upbeat 'Hate' somehow feels out of place on this EP due to its stadium-rock aesthetic with anthem-tic choruses sandwiched inbetween Woodruff's charismatic lyrics, but truly feels like a step in the right direction for the band. Whilst, 'Stay Awake/Stay Awake' contrasts this and feels completely gritty and pure. 'Hate' feels entirely like a throwback record for the band after they experimented largely on 'Skeletons' but seems like a promising start to a new leaf for them.

3/5

George Gadd

'Hate' is out now.