So let us introduce you to Cruel Ploy, an American alternative rock band originating out of Cincinnati, Ohio, who’ve become the masterminds behind crafting the most delicate yet wounded emotional terrains. A powerful five-member band, combining elements from the edginess of alternative music, the expansive nature of indie rock music, and the raw confessions of emo music, Cruel Ploy creates songs that don’t just reflect the nature of humanity; rather, they hold a mirror up to our midnight terrors and accept each one of them wholeheartedly. It is all constructed on a bedrock of unwavering gut-level honesty, captivating hooks, and huge guitar-driven soundscapes which successfully manage to combine intense vulnerability with sheer ferocity. They have created their own corner of music which has a very intimate feel to it. Their astounding five-track EP titled “Fear” was made available on the thirty-first of July and, if you haven’t been utterly destroyed and recreated by this EP, you have missed out on one of the essential EPs of the year, and it’s time we take a look at them!
The opening song, “Fear”, starts with a misleading calmness of soft, mellow, atmospheric, and glacial electronic beats and mysterious synthesizer washes which seep into the silence just like ink into water. From the get-go, the lyrics of the song introduce us to a character who initially tells us how she uses exposure therapy to fight against fear, but later she admits that she was lying and that her brave front crumbles, and she admits that she’s drowning. This character’s behavior is normal. We all think we can brave our demons on our own, but there’s no shame in asking for help, and doing that is the first step towards healing. As far as vocals go, the track opens up with a weak emo-like voice in whisper mode that is unsettlingly close to the listener and develops into a hard, rough scream in the chorus part. As for music, the sound design creates an elegant balance between soft and loud sounds. While the light, reverb guitar picks clash with the hard, trap-like beat and a throbbing bass line representing a heartbeat, the effect on the listener is direct and alarming. This adrenaline shot of empathy confirms that the physical trembles of fear can be normalized only by admitting it first.
With an apparent burst of sunshine, “Faultless” bursts out into the dark with a large explosion of pop rock melody energy. The song begins with a catchy guitar riff that resembles sunlight shining out from behind storm clouds, thus creating a celebratory atmosphere that is in perfect contrast to the dark meaning of the lyrics. About the lyrics, the song covers the persona who is being sarcastic to a person who has abandoned her. She calls this person faultless, but in reality she’s actually blaming him for everything that has happened. The vocal delivery is sharp, expressive, and comes loaded with a sarcastic sense of self-awareness, which does not indulge in self-pity but rather indulges in dancing despite the unattainable standards. As far as the music is concerned, the song makes use of sparkling guitars, powerful drum beats, and positive vocal arrangement that spreads out horizontally in the sound stage. From the point of view of the audience, the song makes one feel liberated.
Further exploring the psychological labyrinth, “The Disguise” begins with an isolated, powerful electric guitar riff which reverberates in an expansive cavernous space prior to a dragging floor-tom rhythm which grounds the sadness. The lyrical content functions as a poetic examination of the repression of one’s identity, highlighting the high cost of being able to put on a socially constructed front so well that you end up hiding. It’s important to note that the story in the song starts with the character describing someone else but, by the end of the song, she too has gotten in disguise like the person she was initially describing. In terms of vocals, the song achieves a precarious balance between an intimate conversation and an anguish that tightens one’s chest, preserving all the natural breathing sounds and emotional tremors in order to keep it authentic. From a musical perspective, the composition strikes a beautiful balance between the ambience of the verses and the flood of distorted alternative rock sound, crashing as waves. The listener is forced to take a deep breath and hold up a personal mirror to examine the masks he wears every day.
Filled with a pressing urgency, “Last Time” begins with a fast and staccato piano melody and bass line combined with a sharp and snappy snare hit, which instantly grabs all attention. The lyrical content of the song focuses on dealing with the waters of regret, the bitter and stubborn cycle of making the same mistakes again and again. This is the moment when one realizes how exhausted one is with all this stubbornness and understands that it is time to break those cycles. This character admits that this person is in a vicious cycle, but she also admits that she loves him and she misses him, and we all know that people tend to do stupid things when they are in love. In terms of vocal performance, the song uses an ascending melody that combines the rawness of youth and emo music with an uplifting euphoric quality that brings tears to the eyes with each chorus, sounding like a last-ditch effort to get a fresh start. From a musical point of view, the song is a force that combines powerful guitar melodies and an unstoppable rhythm that doesn’t allow the listener to rest and go backwards.
As the perfect capstone to a thought-provoking EP, “Learning Curve” starts with the simple, meditative sound of an acoustic chord sequence that seems to mirror catching your breath at the end of a strenuous run. From a lyrical perspective, the song celebrates the non-linear process of growing up, with the powerful message that being imperfect and making mistakes is not failure but necessary elements of being complete. This character’s outlook on life might be tough but, at the same time, it’s kind of genius. It’s genius to look at any and every mistake as a chance to learn and grow. It doesn’t mean that we need to go around intentionally making mistakes, but it is a reminder that every stumble, every fall, and every mistake is an opportunity to recognize something bad and flee from it. As far as music goes, the song has a marching rhythm that is complemented by soothing bass and chime-like guitar sounds that give a sense of resolution without being too tidy and forced. The listener can get the comforting sensation from the song; the one that tells you that healing will always be an ongoing process.
Noted for his/her impeccable pairing of cinematic visual elements and a highly authentic approach to songwriting, the artist has built an amazing collection in which each of the releases has its unique aesthetic realm while always staying true to the raw emotions. No matter whether they break our hearts with heart-wrenching ballads or charge straight ahead with energized alternative rock songs, Cruel Ploy has one goal, which is creating pieces of art that leave resonating in your heart even after the last note is played. Honestly, listening to this EP was a real revelation, and being one of those people following their path with interest and anticipation, I am absolutely mesmerized; I just can’t wait to see how high they will rise!
Stream the “Fear” EP on Spotify
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