Being released via Amateur Pop Incorporated, Gender, Trauma & Friendship is more or less what it says on the tin. It’s essentially the full and expansive encapsulation of the vital fixtures that form and bind Slash Fiction as a collective; the joy that comes with refusing outdated gender norms, the love that comes with the embracement of one’s true identity and the time-tested genre of emo that has always been a vessel of articulation for such themes. The twinkling opener of ‘Pick My Stitches’ establishes all of this immediately with unashamed and bold bombast. Destined to be a colossal singalong once Slash Fiction take to the stage once gain in the hopefully not too distant future, the track see’s all five members of this band unionised in passion and emotion, belting out messages to persevere through times of relentless struggle.
The consecutive tracks of ‘I’ll Get There, If I Leave Everything But My Bones Behind’ and ‘How’s This For Heartbreak? wonderfully showcase the musical components that serve as the bedrock of this record. Much like the group’s initial EP Flowers, this record see’s Slash Fiction channeling the synth kissed stylistics of The Get Up Kids, Spanish Love Songs and early The Wonder Years – which are subtly referenced throughout this record – all whilst emitting the same sense of warmth associated with close scene mates Itoldyouiwouldeatyou, Kermes and Nervus. As evident with the universally relatable earworm of ‘Hows This For Heartbreak?’, this very much is a record of naked exposure and vulnerability, one that brings the clarity of catharsis with the public airing and detailing of one’s issues. Whilst this may be a universal aspect of all records that use the emo art form as a channel for personal pain, Gender, Trauma & Friendship is totally removed from it’s peers through it’s remarkable sense of musical diversity and variation. This very much is a record of pure eclecticism, one that utilises an entire array of genres to detail it’s narrations on love, loss and resilience with inspiring finesse.
This sense of inspired creativity isn’t something that’s immediate to begin with. Instead, it’s something that’s introduced subtly and with delicate consideration. It’s the sixth track of ‘The Lighthouse’, a lovingly tender and compassionate ode on longing for a dearly missed loved one, that showcases this record’s wonderful understanding on the importance of both space, expansiveness, and how such things further animate the palpable emotion that’s binds this album. The almost ethereal nature of the consecutive ‘The Space Between’ showcases this flawlessly. The record’s most delicate composition, the haplessly enthralling track is one that harkens thoughts of the post-rock at it’s most sentimental all whilst being reminiscent of the nostalgic bittersweetness of math-rock stalwarts American Football. However, these moments of post-rock expansiveness and intricacy are subtly numerous throughout this record, and are often utilised to further animate the life-affirming motifs of inclusivity that this record harbours.
Despite this effervescent sense of experimentation, one of Gender, Trauma & Friendship’s most vital elements is it’s rawness. Whilst many bands on the emo and pop spectrum chase a clear and chromatic production, one that glosses over and nullifies details, this record purposefully retains a gritty sound that flawlessly displays it’s inherent joyfulness and emotion. Complete with a sandblasted guitar tone that wouldn’t be out of place on a noise rock record at points, the unprocessed production perfectly captures the complexity and bashful joy of this record all whilst allowing it’s snagging melodies to breathe naturally. ‘Cross My Heart’, a colossal and snaring punk rager, benefits from this approach greatly, with it’s respective crunch and massive chorus being captured with organic bombast.
But yet, the greatest aspect of this grittiness is how it allows the pure emotion here to be articulated with all it’s original nuance. ‘Footnote’, a track intimately exploring how friends can be more valuable than actually family, is intensely affecting with it’s heart on display, and in relation, the wildly infectious ‘Headaches’ plays into the raw sound to implore you to value life whilst you still can. It’s impossible to imagine this record without this production bolstering Slash Fiction’s incredible take on emo; both Gordian Stimm and Koji Shiraki, on production and mastering duties respectively, have done an incredible job in enlivening the band’s creative vision.
In all, this is simply a magical, inviting and wonderful record full of love, life and joy. By utilising a plethora of stylistics and a forgotten production approach, Slash Fiction have lovingly forged a record that implores you to detach yourself from the pain of callous modern living and to live with unapologetic purpose and validation. The best debut of the year? Well it remains to be seen but this is undoubtedly going to be adored by simply everyone who experiences it.