Just two years after their 2017 debut, Minnesota outfit
Remo Drive returned with sophomore album
Natural, Everyday Degradation with the sound and spirit of a new band. On their first album, they spun an early emo-revival designation into a more punk- and garage-influenced D.I.Y. sound, showing promise with deep cuts that hinted at more to come. On
Degradation, they deliver, maturing from a band one might hear clanging from a neighbor's basement into a full-fledged outfit that benefits from improved production and tighter songwriting. Whereas their debut tapped into both punk and indie inspirations,
Degradation chooses to delve into '90s-styled rock and power pop, echoing bands like
Weezer,
Phantom Planet, or
Sloan. Deceptively sunny and pleasant, the songs themselves -- written by primary members Erik and Stephen Paulson -- are hummable and catchy in their simplicity. However, lurking beneath the surface, those early emo tendencies bubble and churn. While clear lyrical themes revolving around disappointment, the mundanities of everyday life, and the passing of time create bittersweet clouds that threaten to sour the mood, it's the recurring ghost of dying love that really drags spirits down. Surprisingly, those tracks -- "The Grind" and "Ezra and Marla" especially -- are some of the best on
Degradation, showcasing a storytelling talent by vocalist Erik Paulson that envelops the listener with its enthralling narratives. Elsewhere, "Around the Sun" and "Separate Beds" are uncomfortable reminders about life's harsh, and often boring, realities. Surely these are not inspiring or empowering messages, but there's an odd comfort knowing that everyone is slowly creeping toward the same inevitable fate, one way or another. ~ Neil Z. Yeung