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Touche Amore Releases Emotional Record ‘Stage Four’

“Stage Four” is Touche Amore’s fourth album to date. (Photo courtesy of Epitaph Records)

Emily Toomey
Connector Staff

Post-Hardcore powerhouse Touche Amore recently came together to release “Stage Four.” “Stage Four” provides something so honest and raw that leaves the listener craving for more. This album is the perfect follow up to “Is Survived By,” their 2014 album. This record pulls inspiration from Jeremy Bolm’s mother passing of cancer. Touche is known for their harsh vocals and beautiful melodies and this record proves no exception. There is something so artistic about their music and this record might be their best release yet.

Opener Flowers and You provides an emotional ballad for the record. “Highly decorated with a badge that read it could be worse.” This lyric pulls directly from Jeremy’s mother passing. His vocals are not so much a scream on this track and they are a sense of crying out. The melody provides a beautiful background for such a harrowing song. This song is a journey of emotionally distress filled with love, something so unique.

New Halloween, the second track on the album might be on of their most emotional releases to date. “I skip over songs cause they’re too hard to hear / Like Track 2 on Benji or What Sarah Said.” In reference to “What Sarah Said,” “love is watching someone die.” The listener instantly feels sorrow from hearing this track. “I haven’t found the courage to listen to your last message to me.”
“Single Displacement” provides something so raw, a side of the band often left masked or not shown fully. “You died at 69 with a body full of cancer” is an instant emotional release for Jeremy. Left to wonder why she had to go on that way. While only being two minutes long, this track provides an emotional rollercoaster for listeners all around. By the end the track provides some closure “I know she’s looking out for me.” Something about this track provides the listener a sense of comfort.
“Eight Seconds” provides something so melancholy to the record. “We need to talk when you have the chance,” the dreaded phone call. This song provides a fast tempo, just building up the anticipation. Only to end with, “she passed away about an hour ago when you were leaving the dream on stage.” This track leaves the listener picturing the scene in their head.

Overall this record provides a unique mix of melodies to create an effortless sound. They kept the same beat and tempo through most of the record providing a sense of comfort for the listeners. Most of these tracks provide something so raw that is bursting with emotion. ”Stage Four” as a whole provides an honest story line and concept that gives the album a sense of vulnerability. They are currently touring with Tiny Moving Parts and Culture Abuse this fall.

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