Swimming - Old
No Funeral & Barely There Records
Released on Feb 21st 2025
Old is the newest album from St. John’s based emo band Swimming. The record delivers and exceeds expectations, creating a fast-paced, upbeat (in sound at least), pop-punky sound, intercut with twinkly guitar, and forlorn lyrics. Tracks range from the punchy anthem that is the intro track, “You Smell Like Phys Ed,” to the slower song “Glimpse,” which is ripe with feelings of rejection and sorrow. The use of different vocal styles to add emotion to the already passionate lyrics makes you really feel what’s being said. The instrumentation as well allows so much drama to seep into each song, the start-stops, individual instruments getting moments to shine, the subtle changes in volume between sections to really emphasize certain sections, it is all very expertly crafted.
Swimming’s last release That’s OK was one of my favourite albums of 2021, with songs like “Blackhorse Brigade” still in rotation on my playlists, and Old certainly meets the high expectations set by that album. In particular, the closing track, “Charlie,” is my favourite track off this latest LP: the driving guitar, trading vocals, the extended slow section in the middle, the dramatic build up of energy, the soft release, and of course, the horn, all work in tandem to make 7 minutes feel like a highly satisfying breeze.
Old sees Swimming take their midwest emo, pop-punk inspired sound and expands on it, creating an excellent 9 song experience that I highly recommend.
- Artemis Peaslee