Dreams in Red by Longings

If you’re looking for some Fugazi flavored death rock, you’ve come to the right place. Longings just put out their first record in eight years, and it is well worth a listen. Dreams in Red features shouty vocals, spewing emotionally charged lyrics that are at times abstract and poetic. The album remains driven from start to finish, never faltering in energy or tempo. Its fervent nature is captivating, with a marked sense of urgency. The aggressive and driving instrumentation combined with the brooding atmosphere provides a unique experience that is both a 90’s throwback and feels right on the pulse.

It may be stupid to make this distinction if we’re looking at works through a post-genre lens, but I will say this album is tagged as “screamo” and “hardcore” on bandcamp, just be aware that is not how I would personally describe what’s going on here. Dreams in Red to me reads as squarely post punk, exuding the energy of punk while deftly avoiding less desirable cliches of classic rock music. This record does blend elements of classic punk and hardcore and they’re done very well, but the album pleasingly doesn’t fit directly into any of these categories and we wouldn’t have it any other way.

- Carrie