Vales

This UK post-hardcore band have combined more traditional ideas of contemporary hardcore with aspects of post-rock and '90s-era screamo to create music with emotional weight on debut record Clarity. Vales have a sound similar to Pianos Become the Teeth or the Good Time Boys, with clear influences from several more "old school" screamo bands. Instrumentally, the guitar work is thick and full of reverb, creating a dense, atmospheric sound, with very precise drumming effectively accenting the songs. However, after listening to Clarity several times, what kept me coming back was the remarkable vocal performance from front-woman Chlo Edwards. Edwards delivers each line with emotional intensity; in particular, her angst-driven screams on "Surrender" will raise the hairs on the back of your neck. Vales venture a little too close to their contemporaries at some points however, the drummer's use of double-kick bass needs to be a little bit subtler in the future and the record really could have done without the overly chug-y breakdown in "Stallions." Despite all this, Clarity is a well put together record that's heavy with angst and emotion.