Respire are a post-hardcore/screamo band from Canada and this is their fourth album.
Now here’s something interesting. Respire describe themselves as an orchestral post-everything collective. They have seven core members, six of whom provide vocals, and collectively they play the usual instruments you’d expect, plus synths, viola, violin, and trumpet. There are also guests that bring vocals, saxophone, piano, synths, glockenspiel, music box, vibraphone, and additional strings to the mix. There’s a lot going on here.
Hiraeth contains 44 minutes of material. The style is a hybrid one that combines post-metal and post-rock, a blackened hardcore/screamo approach, and layers of orchestral depth. You can easily throw a lot of other tags at this too in places – blackgaze, as just one example – but ultimately Respire take their various influences and make them their own, forging an album that is multifaceted and well-realised. The combination of blackened aggression, gorgeously rendered strings, heartfelt emotive performances, and impactful songwriting make for a record that’s striking.
Respire blend their different influences into a holistic musical recipe that’s both scathing and beautiful. The music delivers an emotive experience that’s rich in textured worldbuilding. Sometimes introspective, sometimes violent, sometimes graceful, sometimes eccentric; Respire paint on a broad canvass. The music is characterful, ripe with colour and expressive personality, and frequently quirky. Hiraeth offers up a diverse array of soundscapes for the listener to explore.
Respire’s music is of a high quality throughout. Hiraeth is a notable album that’s very enjoyable if your tastes run to the idiosyncratic. Make sure you give this one some time.
Wonderbox Metal 