Album Review: We Were Sharks - New Low

Is it happenstance that I have found myself tackling a few more albums under the guise of emo/punk than I usually do, or is it a reaction to the ongoing circumstances of the world? That's a hard question to answer, but there does seem to be a notable shift where I have been drifting yet further away from the metal world, and threads of the old alternative have been showing through the fabric. Next on that journey is We Were Sharks, a group of Canadians following in the thematic footsteps of recent favorites Dream State and Yours Truly, wherein they are making music about the upswing after finding the low point. Hence the title.

"Shameless" kicks the record off with massive chants of "fuck you" to just about everyone, and the song unintentionally taps into a psychological phenomenon I have been fascinated by; the lack of shame. Between celebrity and politics, and the melting of the two together, we are now living in a time when more people than ever proudly have no shame about lying and cheating their way to whatever goal they have. I used to think it was a disorder of some sort, but given how many people are now proud of their worst thoughts and impulses, I have come around to believe the idea that people are inherently good is beyond flawed. The band isn't going that deep on their song, which is far more tongue-in-cheek and sarcastic, but they do prompt the thought.

Back to the music, one of the best songs on the record is "Problems", where the sweet and hooky melody belies lyrics about being at your breaking point, saying "I don't know how much more of this I can take." It's a common refrain, and the optimistic tone of the music gives us the impression the light is there at the end of the tunnel, we're just waiting for someone to come along and flick the switch. Whether or not that's accurate, it's an attitude that makes it easier to keep putting one foot in front of the other.

To take a different approach, we can also look at this record in light of one of last year's critical darlings. Spanish Love Songs released "Brave Faces Everyone", which chronicled the depths of pain and depression by way of anthemic emo/punk songs. We Were Sharks is looking at that same reality, but without the hopelessness that things will ever get better. One album bought a can of ultra-black to use as their battle paint, while the other is content to write their songs with a Sharpie. Maybe it's easier to say it's the difference between unburdening yourself in therapy, versus talking to a friend.

That attitude, and the catchy songs We Were Sharks writes, makes this an easier album to take in. They are not testing your emotions or trying your patience, but writing sweet songs you can take on whatever level you so choose. That leaves "New Low" as an album that can serve multiple purposes, which makes it the sort of record that is likely to always have a role to play.

I'm not going to tell you "New Low" will make as deep an impact with me as "Primrose Path" or "Self Care" did, but they all fit the same mold, and it's one I keep saying we need more of. So if We Were Sharks adds another album onto the pile that tries to lift us up from the depths, I'm all for it.