Scowl Carves a New Path with Are We All Angels

Chris Collett
Apr 12
2 min read

Scowl isn't asking permission — they’re kicking down the genre gate with Are We All Angels, a bold, left-turn sophomore release that trades some of their hardcore snarl for a shimmer of melody and mood. What began as straight-ahead aggression now pulses with a wider emotional frequency, layering grunge textures, punk instincts, and alt-rock vulnerability into something unexpected — and totally captivating.

Kat Moss leads the charge with a vocal performance that shapeshifts across tracks — snarling and unhinged one moment, stripped bare and melodic the next. On standouts like “Special” and “Tonight (I’m Afraid),” the contrast between airy hooks and weighty themes hits hard. “Fantasy” flirts with radio-ready structure without losing the band’s raw undercurrent. Each song feels like a deliberate step into a new chapter, without forgetting where they started.

Lyrically, the album embraces discomfort, desire, and disillusionment — sometimes all at once. Are We All Angels asks big questions through small moments, balancing vulnerability with confrontation. There's a kind of emotional swing happening throughout the album — soft one second, seething the next — and that tension is exactly what makes it so compelling.

Musically, it’s a huge leap. The record embraces melody and atmosphere in a way that might surprise longtime fans, but it doesn’t feel like compromise — it feels like growth. Flatspot Records clearly gave Scowl the room to experiment, and the result is something that toes the line between hardcore and alt-rock with remarkable finesse. The production is tighter, more layered, but the edge is still sharp.

This is the sound of a band choosing to evolve — not because it’s trendy, but because it’s necessary. Are We All Angelsmight not be what some expected, but it’s exactly what Scowl needed to say right now. It’s ambitious, accessible, and authentic — and that combo is what gives it staying power.

Rating: ★★★★½ (4.5/5)

April 5, 2024 — Flatspot Records

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