Shallow Side are one of the strongest rising bands in rock today. Their last record- Saints & Sinners saw huge growth and solidified them as a band to watch and fall in love with. Their latest record- Reflections takes the momentum they already had and pushes it even further.
The lead singles kick the record off, giving fans what they’re familiar with right up front. While those songs are great, it’s what comes next that really stands out. The record is heavy- the heaviest we’ve heard from Shallow Side yet. The guitars really stand out and are some of the most intricate the band has written thus far.
Lyrically and vocally, the band is on another level with Reflections. “Over” shows singer Eric Boatright using unclean screams prominently for the first time. They’ve been present in the past but something about Reflections makes them more noticeable and memorable. “Over’ features a lot of production, heavy lyrics and it’s a personal track. It slows down and gets melodic and emotional for a split second and then launches back into it.
“Something to Believe In” is a song you don’t just hear, you feel it with lyrics like “Is it all just a dream, another picture-perfect bullshit fantasy and now these walls are shattering. I left my purpose on the floor; I can’t fly with broken wings, but I’m addicted to this push and pull we made. You promised me faith and I fell right in, the more that I lose, you win.”
“Nothing Left” and “Every River” are very personal and lyrically in-your-face. Everyone has felt the way the band is singing about, and the tracks are easy to connect and relate with.
Then you have “Resurrection,” which closes the album out in a completely different vibe. It harkens back to the “Saints & Sinners” title track but doesn’t have the super heavy chorus. The chains clanging combined with the acoustic guitars give a feeling that you just can’t describe. It’s a southern-inspired track that you remember long after it’s over and is a poetic way to end the album.
In the end, the band never makes the same album twice and Reflections is no exception. There’s a lot of diversity on the album and the band laid it all out on the line emotionally and spiritually with this album.
This is the strongest album of the band’s career so far and they continue to raise the bar with each release, Reflections being no exception.
Rating: 9/10
-Reggie Edwards