Photo credit: Jimmy Fontaine
ThxSoMch has made a reputation for himself as strikingly edgy in just a short time. His first release was less than a year ago, and since then, he’s released one successful single after another, building upon a strong discography with elements of indie rock and dark-wave post-punk. The Toronto-based alternative artist unveiled his first project with his debut EP Sleez with Elektra Records. He also released a music video or visualizer for all eight tracks.
Whether people want to admit or not, they’re all f***ed in the head to some degree, —and that version of yourself is Sleez.
~ ThxSoMch
The EP begins with the intense energy of “Hate.” This single was previously released and built immense anticipation for the rest of the EP. ThxSoMch’s lyrics are brimming with abhorrence and loathing, both directed at him and coming from him.
“Swap Places” features chants as ThxSoMch floats between the dark and the disturbing, and then a painful love and obsessive adoration.
Oh, why, babe? Please don’t pull out the knife
~ “Swap Places”
I’m still dreaming of you
Hope I don’t awake ’cause this life’s abuse
If you lay me down, at least I’ll be laying with you
Percussion picks up and raises the tempo in “Vile.” It’s an intoxicatingly track, with a catchy rhythm as ThxSoMch describes grapping with suffering while being fed up with it all. The thrill of ThxSoMch’s post-punk style never disappoints.
Next on the tracklist is “SPIT IN MY FACE!”, another previous release that drew all eyes to ThxSoMch. With more than 330 million streams and a spot on the Billboard Hot 100, it should be no shock why people love this musician. He tackles the toughest of emotions and leans into the unconventional, using an alternative beat and lyrics featuring self-destruction and the subsequent inevitable consequences.
You crush my heart and say it’s nothing
~ “SPIT IN MY FACE!”
You broke me down, I kept on cutting
I bleed for you and now I’m gushing
I bleed for you, but you never cared
“Crumbled” will resonate with the heartbroken, detailing the agony of watching an unreciprocated love continue to break him down. Its raw rhythm evokes the idea that ThxSoMch is stuck in his own head, reliving and overthinking this pain.
“CAROLINE” starts with acoustic plucking before ThxSoMch enters the track, screaming. The song is charged, with some softer moments to break up the rousing song.
A driving beat runs through “Keep It Tucked,” one of ThxSoMch’s most provocative songs. His distress is almost palpable. Scream along to songs like this and purge all the negative emotions from within. Toward the end, the song evolves to include more electronic synths and a building drumline, adding even more interest.
“screws” ends the EP with a more gentle note. Breathy vocals and acoustic guitars slow ThxSoMch’s sound down, leaving listeners more time to process the deeply vulnerable story behind the song.
It’s the weight I feel
Wired to break and bend
Guess I’m made frail
Cut my noose again
~ “screws”
The album is the epitome of angst in its full glory. Its eight tracks exhibit why everyone should be on the lookout for more from this rising star. Stream Sleez and more from ThxSoMch on all major platforms here. Witness ThxSoMch’s magic live on tour, with tickets available now. More is yet to come, so connect with the artist on his website, Instagram, and Twitter.
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