From bimbocore to beautycore, girl bands and scene queens alike are reigning over the Rawring 20s. Recently signing to Rockfest Records, breakthrough beautycore band GFM returns with their third EP, “Framing My Perception,” which was released on May 27, 2022. Third releases have a reputation for having the best tunes and GFM does not disappoint. Known to most, I have a strong obsession and appreciation for 2010s metalcore. It was an era full of breakdowns and bleghs. In well under 30 seconds, GFM transported me back to 2013, bringing me to the barrier of the Monster South stage. Metalcore, Monster Energy, Warped Tour heat, and a moment of pure euphoria. This was the chaos I had been craving for so long, and until recently I had yet to be satisfied. Thirty seconds into the first track was all it took.
GFM starts off strong with the first track, “Burn Your Fears.” Instantly we are greeted with grueling guitar and bass riffs. From the first verse, I was fully sucked in, the lyrics and melody being all-too-catchy. On first listen I barely had time to compose myself. My entire being had been sucked into a vortex, lost alongside killer breakdowns and mean melodies. Thoughts were unable to be formed, for I had been taken on an out-of-body journey, only to return after the final note on the closing track. Few bands have been able to leave me speechless at first listen, and even fewer had me needing at least three run-throughs to come up with any coherent thoughts, I was stuck in awe, nostalgia, and amazement. I used to coin this feeling as “The Jimmy Eat World Effect.” Keywords: used to. Now, any time I come to face a fantastic opening track I’ll be referring to the experience as “The GFM Effect.”
When listening for an album or EP of the year, it takes a lot more than just riveting riffs and mind-blowing breakdowns to impress me. For a release to even be considered as a nominee, I also look for vocal control and delivery, relatability, and variety in style. It is clear GFM knows no boundaries when it comes to genre, for each track covers a multitude of subgenres within the alternative umbrella. Generic is not in their lexicon nor is static. Things slightly slow down to a more post-hardcore style with the title track, vaguely reminiscent of The Word Alive. “Framing My Perception” is an absolute anthem with a melodic-rock punch and lyrics that aim straight through the ribcage. I can see why the EP was titled the way it was.
Much like running water, GFM has to keep their sound moving, creating an ever-so-dynamic wave of genre-bending talent– or should I call it genre-surfing. Instrumentally things pick up with the third track, instrumentally we pick back up with the next track, “Honest Abe.” As soon as I feel I am hooked on a melody, a breakdown catches me by surprise, having my jaw drop in happiness. This effect continues to happen with “The Enemy,” leaving me unprepared for the pop-punk/post-punk dream known as “Why So Toxic.” More like “Why So Nostalgic,” because this track had me missing the likes of Hey Monday, Tonight Alive, and We Are The In Crowd. If Disney had Lemonade Mouth be a post-punk band, “The Enemy” would have been included on the soundtrack.
[PHOTOSENSITIVITY WARNING]
Returning full circle, the final track, “Disrupt The Silence” pulls us back to the core of 2010s metalcore. Strong start, strong finish, and effortless transitions; these were the ingredients chosen to create “Framing My Perception.” The absolutely phenomenal vocal control between CJ, Maggie, and LuLu is what pulls everything together. Nothing stays still from vocals to instrumentals, and the utter vocal control adds fluidity. It’s like whiskey that goes down strong yet smooth. Nothing burns and tastebuds are left completely satisfied and ready for another shot. Immediately I needed to lock this EP on repeat, never getting bored of streaming. Instead, every listen through I get more and more excited. This is how music should feel– as if you were living Warped Tour on repeat. Six tracks are not nearly enough, and I can not wait to see what GFM has in store should they release a full-length album. Be sure to check out “Framing My Perception” on all streaming platforms.
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