There is no denying the fact that Title Fight has gradually become an iconic figurehead in the alternative
music scene since their inception in 2003. From the angst-driven bubblegum pop
punk ballads found on 2009’s The Last
Thing Your Forget compilation to the Jawbox inspired
alt-rock anthems on 2013’s Floral Green, the
young four piece has managed to display fantastic writing and progressive
maturation over such a brief period. Words cannot describe the night-and-day
comparison of seeing the band play to twenty kids at the ICC in 2010 followed
by a completely packed out co-headlining gig the Paradise Rock Club only five
years later.
This past winter, right as the massive snowstorms took their
violently devastating toll on New England, Title
Fight released their third full length album Hyperview. Hyperview holds
a very important place in my heart because it served as the soundtrack to one
of the most bittersweet and emotional experiences of my entire life.
I will never forget the day I first heard this record. Stress
and anxiety were at an all-time high at this point in my life as I felt myself
inevitably falling in love with one of my best friends while trapped in a long
term relationship grounded in emotional abuse. It was the only thing that
crossed my mind as the harsh winter storm began to envelop my town. I was then
asked to shovel my parent’s driveway as the storm began to worsen, and I saw
this as the ideal time to finally listen to the new Title Fight record I had
saved on my computer the night before. I synced Hyperview to my phone only seconds before my house lost power,
popped in my headphones, zipped up my coat, and stepped outside into the
violent blizzard.
The opening notes of “Murder Your Memory” sonically explored
my one working ear drum as I witnessed flurries of snow picked up by the harsh
storm winds forming a beautiful spiral-like shape. This real life imagery was
almost too fitting.
Hypeview’s
chilling soundscapes brings to mind detailed and specific moments of my life
during these both happy yet painful times. All I was forced to recall were the
late night playground adventures with my dearest friend Emily whom I was slowly
but surely falling head over heels for. Even during the coldest winter
evenings, we would find ourselves seated upon swings invested in deep
conversation. I would recall specific moments of me gazing into her big,
beautiful blue eyes and feel my heart thunderously pound as she flashed her
flawless smile. The only thing holding me back from holding her close and
pressing my lips to hers were the commitments of a relationship I wanted to end
but lacked the bravery to do so.
A month or so later I eventually gained the courage to end
my toxic relationship and asked Emily to be my girlfriend. I was met with a
slightly hesitant “sure” but since then 2015 has proven to be a year full of
pure contentment, endless support, and wonderful memories. I was overjoyed to
discover Emily shared the same bittersweet connection for this album as I did
and brought to mind the same winter evenings at the playground. Despite my
blatant bias towards this album, its overall sound holds enough water to
land this top spot on my year end list.
Title Fight is a
band notorious for leaving a small trail of breadcrumbs that leads to the
musical style their following release will explore. The Last Thing You Forget compilation was predominantly a strict
pop punk release with the exception of its closer “Western Haikus.” That track
alone served as the foundation of their debut LP Shed that birthed the current emo revival craze.
“Where Am I?” and “27” left hints of the band’s transition to Floral Green and in turn “Head in the
Ceiling Fan,”Lefty”, and “In Between” did the same for the heavily shoegaze influenced Hyperview.
Many complain the band’s third full length sacrifices the
band’s trademark abrasiveness, overwhelming emotion, and well-structured
songwriting for a more mature sound, but I couldn’t disagree more. “Your Pain
is Mine Now”, “Dizzy”, and “Rose of Sharon” are some of the strongest and most passionate
tracks in the band’s catalogue. Will Yip’s production of Hyperview proves to be top notch and finds the ideal middle ground
for Title Fight’s emo and shoegazing
influences.
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