EARLY REVIEW: pulses'. "It Wasn't Supposed to be Like This" via Oh Word?

Between 2020 and 2021 pulses. released three projects in the Speak series, yes, we’re counting the remixes, before closing it out with a livestream sendoff playing nearly twenty tracks spanning their career. Since then, the band has garnered a huge following, first online and now with the return of live music and their Woodland Creatures mini tours, they’ve established themselves as a live presence as well. Now, the Friday you’re reading this, the band will release a new full length and soundtrack to their third season as a band, It Wasn’t Supposed to be Like This.

You can hear the first three tracks of the album right now and while I usually discourage knowing the first song of a project before release, let alone the first three, I don’t think I personally would choose anything else as the singles package. “Different Strokes” is a masterclass of heavy music and at the time of release worked as a wonderful pairing to the much poppier “Sold Out,” which is not featured on the tracklist. That track transitioned seamlessly into “Run the Ghouls” which, to me, is sort of an extension of the stylings on the last full length but builds a bridge to the newer material. More party-like sonics with a bolder production and a confidence that’s well earned.

Now, spoilers for the new era ahead.

pulses. have always been a stellar band, IWStbLT is turned to eleven. More intricate and popping instrumentals, stronger performances from both Matt and Caleb vocally with my only comment being that sometimes I can’t tell the difference between the two but I do not think chemistry is a bad thing. The spoken word bits by Kevin are one of my favorite aspects of the record as a whole. Each and every passage serves as an integral part of their song’s composition and even though I think all four members have their distinct personalities and voices he has sort of made himself as the band’s spokesperson so it’s nice to hear his voice so often. He’s also an incredible lyricist and while the singles are already a great showing of his writing ability, songs like “Honesty, Honestly” are further proof of it. Also incorporating bits and pieces from songs by the band’s influences has always been a key part of pulses. identity and I really hope to see the sample list again. I’ve already found myself thinking I’ve caught parts from certain old tracks on the record.

Community, as we’ve established, is an important part of the pulses. ethos and the band makes good on that with this extensive feature list. The song “Loafers with the White Socks,” which was the third single here, has a supergroup feel with three features from their social circles; nightlife’s Hansel Romero as well as longtime collaborators Joey Lancaster and Gavin Cole. Carson Pace of The Callous Daoboys catches me the most off guard, opening the finale track with a really lovely hook as well as a spoken word bridge toward the end, both of which give him a chance to shine in a way unique to his own band. JER, also known as Skatune Network, might be my favorite of the collaborations in terms of execution. “Them Phones” implements ska-like horns in unison with pulses. progressive post-harcore blend to make for a song that is theirs but has a special sort of backbone. It’s a real marriage of both worlds. None of this is to mention Ben Rockwood of Granite State’s appearance or Sierra Binondo, front woman of longtime pulses. besties With Sails Ahead. The record truly feels both star-studded and like it's full of bands and artists that pulses. have long since backed up publicly.

However heavy you think a song like “Different Strokes” is, I do not think you’re ready for “Kupo!” The first half of this one is crushing and only becomes more violent as time goes on. There is a vocal bit here that had my jaw on the floor but it isn’t the only surprise left in store for you. There is a certain heat on a song like “Ain’t Got No Ceiling” that I have never quite heard from this project and “Heaven or Helvetica” has some equally aggressive parts. Finally the title track is something I’ve wanted out of pulses. for quite awhile knowing what influences all four members carry and I’m happy to see it here at last.

It Wasn’t Supposed to be Like This serves as an excellent third record for the VA quartet and pushes their songwriting to a place we haven’t quite seen while emphasizing the importance of community in this scene. That is something I think we all forget at the end of the day but all of us sticking together is always what’s important. I want to thank Matt for sending me this record as early as he did completely unprompted and for allowing me to discuss it before the street date. As stated above the album comes out this Friday and comes with a strong recommendation from us here at this blog.

Also, we forgive the band for shouting out Anthony Fantano but not AsterTracks.

I loved this record

1. Different Strokes
2. Run the Ghouls
3. Loafers with the White Socks [feat. Hansel Romero of nightlife, Joey Lancaster and Gavin Cole]
4. Ain't Got No Ceiling
5. Honesty, Honestly [feat. Sierra Binondo of With Sails Ahead]
6. Ask a Unc
7. Take a Look, Ya'll [feat. Ben Rockwood of Granite State]
8. Them Phones [feat. JER]
9. Kupo!
10. Heaven or Helvetica
11. It Wasn't Supposed to be Like This
12. But It Is [feat. Carson Pace of The Callous Daoboys]

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