SONG REVIEW: Whether, I - "Goodbye"
Whether, I bring back the classic post-hardcore sound with modern stylings in “Goodbye”
Written by JD Walker
Post-hardcore was always considered to be one of those “in-between” genres, as it’s too heavy to be considered pop-punk yet too melodic to be considered true metalcore. Under the shroud of obscurity the sound grew massively in popularity and served as a seamless bridge from one generation of alternative music fans to the next. Even in the modern age where many bands seem to select from a limited palette of sounds and influences, the demand and appreciation for that sorta-emo-but-still-pretty-heavy sound never truly went away. Enter: Whether, I. In their latest single “Goodbye”, the band channel the classic sound pioneered by the likes of Blessthefall and Sleeping With Sirens in a modern presentation.
The song wastes no time in the opener with the vocal hook “I never said goodbye” followed by the blistering intro kicking in. Whether, I keeps the energy up through the verse with a good blend of unclean and clean vocals enveloped by heavy chugging guitars before dropping into a massive chorus. What makes the chorus truly impressive is the amount of layering to give the section an element of spatial depth that captivates the listener. The second verse features a good amount of variation and deviation from the first, keeping the song interesting throughout. The bridge continues to build tension before a more somber sounding dropout before the third and final chorus hits like a ton of bricks.
Whether, I is a Houston-based project primarily consisting of the vocalist duo of Kaleb Eddy and Josh Calhoun. Having two vocalists can present a number of challenges, but when the chemistry is there and their respective voices mesh well with each other the sound is almost heavenly. That’s most certainly the case for Eddy and Calhoun, as their dynamic of gritty unclean vocals mixed with soaring soprano cleans blends well in the mix and never becomes too busy or overbearing. Working with the production duo of Robby Joyner and Richard Wicander, the group have exited their hiatus with style and energy in “Goodbye.”
Sometimes, a classic sound needs to be revamped and re-explored. In that exploration of trails previously blazed, a new and better sound can come about. Whether, I have taken the sound that captivated hearts and minds of millions worldwide and somehow made it even better. “Goodbye” is a banger through and through, and the future looks bright for Whether, I.