Advance Review - Post Louis: 'Descender'

(Photo Credit - Maya Sacks)

Advance Review - Post Louis: Descender (February 28, 2020)

People are restless. Yes, it is winter, but the restless comes from so much more. Watch one of the Democratic debates, and you will see it. Climate change, the disproportionate distribution of wealth, and civil rights. The frustration is growing again, and it shows in the music. For Post Louis, they use their debut album, Descender, to address the rage of the MeToo Movement and its suppression by the daily grind forced upon the population by the corporate machine.

Opening the album with a song, “Fishwife,” that sounds like it could be performed by The Cranberries, it is obvious Post Louis’s form of alternative rock will lean towards angsty pop punk. The guitar is loud and at the 2:30 mark, the punk sound comes out. “Stress Fracture” pushed the aggression, as it should with its title.

“Little Jack” teases that it will take the aggression down a notch, but it may be the angriest song on the album.

After “Janaskie Pt I” I wondered if this album is going to ever take a break or if it is meant to be an onslaught of intensity. However, “Janaskie Pt II” is that slower moment where a listener can catch their breath. It shows a tempered style, which I appreciated greatly, especially with its transition into “Labyrinthitis.”

“Descender” introduces listeners to the second part of the album. Restrained aggression that emulates the thesis of the song, workers who are passionate but beaten into exhausted submission. Musically complicated, one can see this song as the band highlighting it strengths.

“Like Bad Dreams” cranks the intensity again, until it fades away like bad dreams always do; “Ghostwriter” has male vocal, and “Winter Pollen” gives me a little more of the punk sound I want to hear. “Angler Man” slows everything down and transitions Post Louis’s listeners to the end of the album.

“December” is the longest song, and like “Descender,” I believe the band uses it to spotlight their talents and understanding of music. It makes multiple movements and varies in intensity before the final built that collapses into, “In my darkest hour I fear I’m not strong.”

Final Thoughts: Like any good pop-punk/alt-rock album, the lyrics are difficult to hear at times. But you can go on tumblr and find Post Louis to see some of their songs. Hopefully they put the rest up with the release of this album.

Favorite Songs: “Stress Fracture,” “Janaskie Pt II” into “Labyrinthitis.”

Rating - 4/5