Project Description
TOTALLY UNICORN
‘Sorry’
(Album Review)
Reviewer: Kayla McNicoll
Wondering aimlessly between stages at Farmer & The Owl Festival in Wollongong, last month I looked at the set list and map. At the time, there were no bands playing that I knew too much about, so I continued wondering until I stumbled across Totally Unicorn, tucked away in an alleyway stage. Instantly I was drawn into one of the most exciting crowd experiences and witnessing one of the most intensely engaging festival performances of my life. At that moment I knew I needed more, and Totally Unicorn’s “Sorry”, is all I have been craving and beyond.
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Despite their incredible and chaotic presence on stage, which is what originally drew me in, listening to Sorry has proven that Totally Unicorn holds so much more than just performance ability, they show true artistic and technical musicianship.
“I don’t know how to sing. But I don’t give a flying fuck”
These lyrics open the album. Although the title track is “Sorry”, Frontman Drew Gardner gives no apologies for his raw, emotionally-charged lyrics and vocals. Gardner clearly illustrates a shift from the band’s first album Dream Life, and its lyrical ambiguity. Sorry communicates a far more ruthless and honest message. Heavy topics which surround poor life choices, substance abuse, mental health and failed relationships are present throughout the entirety of the album and while songwriting may not be the answer to life’s problems it so clearly offers some form of therapeutic release to Gardner. Through these lyrics, every listener will find something to relate to, and while this might seem unfortunate, it shows the integrity and pure humanness of the album. That’s not to say there isn’t a party-edge to the entire record, with each track forcing you to dance and move.
Aside from this album being both lyrically and vocally incredible, the percussion holds significant purpose and strength in every song, creating the perfect build-ups that match Gardner’s intensity. ‘Heavy Breathing’ is one track which perfectly exemplifies this. Furthermore, the band boasts their ability to create only the tastiest riffs, showcasing themselves as truly progressive hardcore innovators within the Australian scene.
Other stand out tracks on the album for me include ‘Prized Pig‘, a scratching riff monster serving as a big ‘Fuck you’ to the unwanted opinions about the way a person looks, recognising society’s problems with superficiality. “I’ll be Fine Now” is dark and slow-burning, a change of pace for the band, representing the downward spiral into darkness, interspersed by piercing rhythms, cutting guitars, and brutal screams.
Overall, Totally Unicorn’s second album Sorry is pretty mind-blowing. Even after having concluded listening to the album for the third time, Gardner seemed to remain screaming in my ear as I carried on with my day. An impressive slosh of infectious hardcore punk which I think is more than anyone anticipated of the band.
Totally Unicorn’s new LP, ‘Sorry’, is out April 12th via The Farmer and the Owl. Be sure to check out their upcoming headline tour.
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SORRY
Track Listing
1. Sorry
2. The Island
3. 33
4. Grub
5. Heavy Breathing
6. A Song For The Deadshits
7. Good Thanks
8. Prized Pig
9. I’ll Be Fine Now
10. Alley (Fucking) Cats
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