Football, etc. – “Disappear” Review
Posted: by Sean Gonzalez
Football, etc. is a three piece band from Houston, Texas signed to Count Your Lucky Stars Records. Over their career they have released multiple splits, EPs and two full length albums. Emo is their defining genre, with elements of indie rock finding their way into songs as well. Their newest EP, Disappear is available on April 17th.
All four tracks on this extended play feature gloomy moods with exhausted tones. Upbeat moments are rare, mainly focusing on drawn out chord progressions that without vocals could be found helping out a shoegaze band. Even the opening lyrics of ‘Sunday’ hint at the previously mentioned sullen mood, “Sometimes I find myself in an awful place, and sometimes I can pretend I am not there, and I disappear and I am fine again.” What makes it captivating is how relatable all of it is. The song reaches a crescendo at the end while the vocalist vanishes and the song bleeds into ‘Sweep.’
Transition wise, this EP hit the nail on the head. Each closing moment fits in with what the next track opens with, made possible by the soft chords building to a climax at the end and then abruptly ending. The last 40 seconds of ‘Sweep’ are a fight for space with a string section whimpering out a lead with a corresponding bass pulsating with a more driven drum line. It’s the rally up to this build that can be a bit tedious to stick around for.
‘Receive’ is a tough song to digest. The lyrics are about the passing of a close friend, beginning with her being sick and growing colder, with the narrator having anxiety about finally finding out the outcome. With some of the darkest lyrics this song is the most upbeat (and I use that term lightly), creating a contrast between moods. ‘Open’ closes the entire EP with interesting melodies and the same style I have discussed here.
Disappear does not reinvent any wheel of the genre, but it does portray Football, etc. as a band to be noticed within the emo world. For some reason this EP is soothing to me, even with its complex redundancies and rather openly distraught lyrics. Focusing on melancholy emotional appeal rather than big sound, the trio still finds a way to make a greater impact each release.
