Shallow Side
Photo on previous page: Lou Brutus
Tight like my 2019 jeans in 2022 and heavy like, well… me in 2022, Shallow Side brings potent hard rock with their single “The Worst Kind.” With some enviable playlist placement (like Apple’s Breaking Hard Rock), it’s getting serious attention… and for good reason! Like a serial killer on death row, this track is well executed. If that comparison was disturbing, you’re welcome. These guys hit hard, reminding me of Disturbed and Sevendust. I’d offer a better description, but my clever metaphors are buried under seven layers of dust.
As the song progresses, textures fluctuate with nimble precision. The vocals are ridiculously good, flawlessly expressing the frustration and anger that boils inside the heart of those who escape a terrible relationship. This high energy rocker is rife with riffs and wicked rhythms that will help you push through the PTSD of love gone wrong. The chorus is a great balance between catchy and clever, with fierce lyrics that are relatable and delivered so well that they make Amazon Prime look lazy. Jeff Bezos, take note.
I took a listen to some other tunes in their catalog. A nice mix of various tempos and textures are there for your listening pleasure. So if you like their sound, but crave some tunes that aren’t so punishing, there’s plenty of goodness lurking about, particularly their album Saints & Sinners from 2019, when my jeans still fit.
In short, the combination of stellar production, phenomenal musicianship, relatable themes, and a compelling sonic assault makes “The Worst Kind” the best kind of new hard rock. Check it out for yourself to see if you agree with me!