Hype!! is a new format on Music Dies Here where I (Maaike) talk about (newly-ish) released singles or EPs, and why the band behind it deserves some damn hype.
Let’s talk Structure Sounds, who just released a new single called ‘Blinding Lights’. If you wonder why they look familiar in their pictures, members of this criminally underrated band from Providence have some hard-hitting names on their resume, such as the Scandals and Howl.
The first time I heard of them was when Sean reached out if I could help him with a show in New York. I gave the band a listen, fell in love with the track ‘2030’, and booked them on what might have been the worst attended Sunday matinee in the history of New York punk-rock.
Surprisingly, they didn’t hold this against me, and we’ve had them over twice since – once with One Fall, and once with Oh the Humanity.
How does the band describe themselves? Well, their Bandcamp and Spotify bio – which needs an update – says the following:
“Providence, Rhode Island’s Structure Sounds fuse visceral, high energy punk rock, sugary
melodic hooks, and a sonic palette informed by blues, hardcore, and americana to create
something of a novelty in 2023: a unique-sounding rock & roll band.”
Now, as you might know, I am horrible at music theory and music genres. I love throwing everything under the “melodic punk” umbrella – it serves me well. Yet, Structure Sounds is a band that indeed does have a bit of everything.
‘Blinding Lights’ shows more of the rock and roll influences the band has. A drawn out intro, followed by the kind of verse I love – melodic and clear. The pre-chorus almost has a slight Avenged Sevenfold vibe to it, but that may just be the vocals. It is followed by a chorus that feels like Ways Away going for a more accessible vibe. The bridge though? It shows the hardcore influences they mentioned, but more in a – let me repeat myself, I only listen to ten bands – Ways Away vibe. I’m also quite impressed by the recording and production quality of this song, especially compared to their 2023 release.
So, yes, hype! Structure Sounds is the kind of band that mixes their love for multiple genres, and brings it all under melodic punk. They’re a versatile band to throw on playlists or book on a lineups – they fit in, even when it feels like they shouldn’t.
