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Los Angeles' letlive return with a rather proud statement with their latest release The Blackest Beautiful. A remarkable collection of energy, this record is an immediate connection that pushes many limitations and shatters expectations.

The album’s opener, “Banshee (Ghost Fame)” is a strong indication of the sort of limitations that letlive have pushed aside. From the opening attack to its mid-song acoustic breakdown and continuous harmony, it makes it difficult to even get to the second song because of repeated listens.


“Banshee (Ghost Fame)” merely allows every listener to understand the journey they are about to embark on.

“Pheremone Cvlt” is another track that just absolutely shines. It's a reminder that taking a step back is just as effective a way of grabbing listeners in. Balancing electronic effects, clean vocals, and a grab-you-in melody, the song may perhaps be the jewel in a record full of gems. If anything, the track further demonstrates letlive’s talent and versatility as musicians.

Other notable tracks including “White America’s Beautiful Black Market” and “Younger” demonstrate the full range that this album has to bring, both lyrically and musically. It's a record that is sure to get a lot of attention as our calendars turn towards the end of year.

Reminiscent of the way the Refused’s The Shape of Punk to Come album floored listeners, the Blackest Beautiful may just be the record fans of the post-hardcore genre have been waiting a while for. It's an impressive collection of anthems, musings, and orchestrated observations of what the 2013 world looks like to the members of letlive.

The rock/metal world seldom hears someone so eclectic and spastic as vocalist Jason Butler, something very few are capable of pulling off. After repeated listens to The Blackest Beautiful, genius is perhaps the only word left to describe his performance, not to mention his lyrics. Jason Butler has raised his hand with this record, commanding the respect that is attached to only the best in this industry.

That speaks volumes of the collective that is letlive, a band that has discovered its step and has perhaps redefined the approach that post-hardcore has been hungry for since At The Drive In disbanded over ten years ago. Repeated listens will grab you in for more, as this album sits extremely well the more listens it is given, with repeated listens allowing you to discover a bit more each time.

Not only will The Blackest Beautiful be on top of many year-end lists, but I also have a strong feeling this record will be discussed for years to come as a record that commands respect.

(released July 9 on Epitaph Records)



Disclosure: A review copy was provided by the publisher. For more information, please see our Ethics Policy.