Review: Catch Your Breath Unveil Breathtaking, Introspective Debut Album, “Shame On Me”
Artist: Catch Your Breath
Album: Shame On Me
Label: Thriller Records
As human beings, we have all felt shame in some form. This could be from poor decisions, situations or lack of self-confidence, along with a plethora of other reasons. Whatever the case may be, it is unfortunately part of the human experience. The shame we feel does not dictate who we are, though. We are meant to go through trials and tribulations, in order to prepare us for the person that we are ultimately to grow to be. Austin, TX hard rock quartet, Catch Your Breath, have captured what it is to be human in spades with their aptly-titled debut album, Shame On Me. While guitarist Teddy Herrera formed the band in 2013, it wasn’t until the release of their single, “Dial Tone” that they began to see some form of commercial success. Amassing a staggering thirty-five million plus streams at the time of this article, this emotional banger was just the beginning. “Dial Tone” shows a more emotional side, both lyrically and musically, for the band and fits perfectly on rock radio. Put together with a high octane, crowd-engaging live performance, this band was destined for stardom from the getgo. Shame On Me is the fruits of years of labor for the band, in a time where the industry was at its roughest point. Each track is a journey into the mind of vocalist Josh Mowery, who has taken his personal experiences and left nothing to the imagination. It is this vulnerability within his lyrics that creates one of the strongest effects to the album, as a whole.
If you’re simply used to the band from the viral success of the aforementioned single, you’ll be in for quite a surprise when you start this album. “No Evil” is an aggressive, no-holds-barred take on how religious officials tend to corrupt their masses. Fast-paced, unrelenting and showcasing some of Mowery’s best screams, by far, on the album, this track is a good example of the dichotomy that the band can take in their sound. Still, there are plenty more aggressive moments to come such as that in “Cycles.” Quick-timed riffs, a soaring chorus and another example of the vocalist’s mid-range screams, this is a good example of the heavier end of the spectrum, sans-a heavier atmosphere to go along with it. Each instrument in this track is given a perfect amount of room to breathe, with drums and bass front-and-center. “Dying on the Inside,” shows more of a hard rock edge, coupling perfect with the lyrical content. While the track itself is melancholic, this is where Mowery’s vocals really shine and begin to show just why they caught the attention of the masses. With their first tour being solidified with metalcore titans Attila, it’s no wonder that they have a little bit of a contrast to their sound, even further fueled by their subsequent tour with Ice Nine Kills and Falling in Reverse. Still, the further we go into the album, the more introspective and tougher the subjects get. From substance abuse (“Y.S.K.W“), self-reflection (“My Confessions“), losing sight of who you are (“Mirror ft. Ekoh“) and much more.
The final 3 tracks on the album, “Cold Light“, “21 Gun Salute” and the title track, “Shame On Me” are a perfect example of how to end an album on a high, yet emotional note. “Cold Light,” a melancholy track about fighting ones demons and realizing that it’s too late to make amends. This track relies heavily on its atmosphere, spotlighting Mowery’s powerhouse vocals and vulnerability. Each of the two tracks that follows, while thematically different, have a similar structure in terms of how they’re conveyed both musically and lyrically. These three tracks in particular put together the turning point and eventual dissolution of a relationship. Toxicity is realized too late and this is where the title truly comes into play. It isn’t until the end, though, that the toxicity on BOTH sides is realized. “Shame On Me” is another song that did incredibly well on rock radio, as well as Spotify (9 million+ streams, as of writing this article) and it’s not hard to see. Earworm choruses, relatable lyrical content and a bouncy vibe are what sets this apart from the other two.
Shame On Me might be one of the most raw and real albums, lyrically, of 2023 and it’s not hard to imagine that anyone who has struggled with these issues will find some comfort within the notes played within. Not only does it show just how powerful and artistic the quartet are, the years of honing it to perfection have created a replay value that is almost second to none. The hooks are massive and these guys are not going to take long to get into arenas, having already wowed festival crowds across the nation. Shame On Me is a testament to what true songwriting is and why Catch Your Breath will cement themselves in your mind, long after the music stops playing. Be sure to pick up your copy, out on Thriller Records today! You can check out the videos for “Dial Tone” and “No Evil” as well as a full album stream below! Additionally, the band is getting ready to embark on a tour with From Ashes to New, The Word Alive and Ekoh, so check out the flyer below and get your tickets today!
Catch CYB on the Blackout Tour, Pt. 1
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