The progressive side of post-hardcore has evolved from a niche subgenre to a sensation worth deep-diving – and 2023 is no different. Whether it’s Properties of Nature and Aluxes teaming up or AnimalJam re-releasing their EP, it’s thrilling experiencing an unpredictable, complex sound that entices the listener without knowing what comes next at any given moment. That’s why I’ve kept my eye close to Dwellings, a Sacramento, California act so meticulous in their songwriting and fine-tuned in their execution that I’ve considered this release a top-3 anticipated for the entire year. Now that Little Garden is finally here 5 years removed from Lavender Town, does this Tragic Hero follow-up warrant the hype I’ve been experiencing with 3 delectable singles?
Dwellings catches many ears with their eclectic flair and grandiose presentation – it’s what set them apart from the pack in 2018’s Lavender Town. While vocalist Isaac Wilson carries a majestic, commanding vocal delivery, the instrumentation from this group cannot be understated.
The grooves from guitarists Erik Tilja and Marx Xyooj synergize melodies that complement the rest of the band, whilst bassist Marco Loarca is prominent in the mix and drummer Thomas Reilly exudes raw talent. Dwellings brought 3 singles to the forefront for Little Garden, all creating different vibes for a great mixed-bag offering of what the band is capable of. I was compelled to see Little Garden both opening and closing with singles, as bands are meticulous with their song placement on records; stylistically, these make sense, as “Devices” opens in such a fervor, whereas “Waypoints” is definitive and can wrap the bow on Little Garden.
The immediate attention-grabber in Little Garden is the track “Redd” – a song encompassing the dastardly scammer fox in Animal Crossing. While Periphery took on “Hades” and Wvnder made a rendition for “Dark Souls”, this game-themed offering is a delight for fans of the franchise. What makes this one so special, though, is its biting commentary on Redd’s debauchery can be applied in listener’s heads to anyone that is deceitful or a bother. Another solid deep cut is “Gold Leaf”, sounding almost theatrical in nature akin to Get Scared or The Used.
Sometimes a band’s best work is in their non-singles, and Dwellings keeps this consistency throughout Little Garden – no filler to report here.
One of my favorite things about Dwellings is they can take a lyrical phrase and stretch it across a whole song without wearing it out. In “It’s All There”, it’s the line “highway robbery”, whereas in “Waypoints” it’s “visual stimulation” – these few words are what gets stuck in my head after listening. Isaac has such a prowess in structuring these themes that the repetition should be annoying, but it never is; it’s somehow the most endearing part of singing along to a Dwellings song. Merely holding on to a note isn’t in his repertoire, either – it’s fascinating hearing just how many ways Isaac can bend a word and make it an earworm. Further, it’s wild that the accompanying guitars/drum/bass are so in-sync with the vocals, whilst being frenetic, groovy, and intuitive – succinct tempo-changes gave me goosebumps on first spin.
Little Garden is just what I wanted in a new Dwellings album – more of what made Lavender Town and “Pick Up Before You Go” such an enjoyable listen. It might not take many risks, but it doesn’t need to when Dwellings have settled into their signature sound so concisely. Throw Little Garden on shuffle, and you’ll get a fresh interpretation of post-hardcore no matter what comes next – that’s the range Dwellings brings to the table. At the exact halfway point for the year, it’s going to sit in my rotation comfortably for the rest of 2023.
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Dwellings Little Garden Album Review
