REVIEW: Dance Gavin Dance - Afterburner [2020]

Artist: Dance Gavin Dance

Album: Afterburner

            Dance GavinDance are a band that don’t really need introduction. Chances are, if you’vebeen paying any attention to post-hardcore, alternative or math rock you’ve atleast seen their name on a festival flyer or in a compilation. They arepolarizing and one of the most love-them-or-hate-them bands within an otherwisepalatable genre. If nothing else, however, Dance Gavin Dance are one of—if not the—most prolific band in the genre,putting out records that average around 45 minutes seemingly every year. Theirlatest addition, Afterburner, clocksin at the high end, nearing an hour of riff-driven, artsy-yet-aggressive technicallysavvy post-hardcore. While the record’s singles have earned largely positivepress, the biggest question in the minds of fans and skeptics alike remains: isAfterburner another archetypal DanceGavin Dance record, or does it see the band breaking out of the hallmark soundand style they’ve crafted for themselves? The answer—as with most things—is alittle more complicated than yes or no.

            At itscore, Afterburner is unmistakably aDance Gavin Dance record. From the subtle opener, “Prisoner” through “NothingShameful” and “Into the Sunset,” Afterburnertakes the same dancy, light-hearted energy that Dance Gavin Dance havebuilt a career on and expands, giving listeners nearly an hour of tracks thatbalance catchy hooks with segments of scathing, white-hot aggression in perhapsthe most fluid and natural manner the band has managed in years. PercussionistMatt Mingus continues to deliver drums that, for lack of a better means ofexplanation, inspire the listener to drop what they’re doing and shake theirass. This is abundantly true on singles “Lyrics Lie” and “Three Wishes.”However, Mingus’ penchant for subtle technicality and speed aren’t absent—“Intothe Sunset” and “Parallels” both see him stepping up his game with percussionpatterns vaguely reminiscent of DowntownBattle Mountain’s more metallic cuts. Meanwhile, bassist Tim Feerick addsbounce and groove in heaping ladles throughout Afterburner, with songs like “Strawberry’s Wake” chief among them.Feerick’s work is an excellent scaffold for the fretwork from Will Swan, who,much like Dance Gavin Dance as an entity, needs no real introduction. Swan’swork on Afterburner is yet anotheraddition to his impressive roster of records his fretwork has graced. While “Parallels”is a heavier and more abrasive cut from Swan, “Three Wishes” and “Strawberry’sWake” are whimsical, balancing atmosphere and catchy, bouncy leads. Swan’s workbehind the fretboard is fantastic as always—even if only a select few songs (“Parallels,”“Nothing Shameful”) see him really doing much different.

            Where DanceGavin Dance have perhaps gained the most variety on a record-to-record basis iswith their vocal element. With each new singer, the band have found ways totweak and tighten up their instrumentation—with Craig, huge choruses and catchyleads dominated. With Travis, more “-core” friendly structure blended into abackbone of funky, dancy rock with near-reggaeton elements. With the additionof Tilian Pearson in 2012, the band’s renewed focus on R&B has taken centerstage—a trend that has continued with Afterburner,to a point. Pearson’s voice is still the soft, buttery croon with moments ofrough-but-not-too­-roughness thatlisteners have spent the last eight years falling in love with. His work on “LyricsLie,” “Night Sway” and “Parody Catharsis” are examples of his best work yet—while“Calentamino Global” sees him using a different language altogether. Where Pearsonis still…well, Pearson, what haschanged is the comfort and fluidity with which he works alongside Jon Mess. Thescreamed and sung components of Dance Gavin Dance’s vocal dynamic hasn’tsounded this strong and natural since their early releases. Where “Parallel” isa Mess-heavy cut, “Parody Catharsis” and “Strawberry’s Wake” are excellentexamples of the duo working in harmony—a harmony the likes of which hasn’t hitthis smoothly in a decade.

            Afterburner is a Dance Gavin Dancerecord. Mess’ lines still make…tedious, if any sense. Pearson’s lines pull atthe listener’s heartstrings. Mingus and Swan work as brilliantly together asthey ever have. It’s catchy, artsy, bouncy and fun. Where it isn’t a departurefrom the band’s trademark, it’s perhaps the strongest collection of songs they’vereleased in a long time, with barely a skippable moment to be found throughoutthe hour-long adventure. While it might not have the replay value or nostalgicappeal some of their previous records have, Afterburnersees Dance Gavin Dance working cohesively—a creative unit with all cylindersfiring—and creating a strong, solid—albeit safe—contribution to their airtightdiscography.

8/10

For Fans Of: A Lot Like Birds, Sianvar, Royal Coda

By: Connor Welsh