By the time they disbanded, Casey's career may not had been the longest, but it was certainly impactful. Quite a few years ago while interviewing vocalist, Tom Weaver, I asked him what superpower Casey's music had. His answer was "connection" -and he was right. The relatability of Weaver's lyricism made fans feel heard and seen, and created a sense of community for anyone struggling. That's the reason Casey's breakup in 2019 hurt so much -and also why the reunion shows of 2023 sold out immediately. On January 12 2024 the Welsh quintet returns with their long-anticipated third album, "How To Disappear" via Hassle records.
My first impression after the first spin of "How To Disappear" was that it evokes a very comforting feeling, that of a time that people have associated with some of the best days of of their lives. If you had the chance to experience the blooming melodic hardcore scene of the early 10's, know exactly what I'm talking about; moody pictures of girls wearing the same two Being As An Ocean/More Than Life shirts, new personal-struggles-core bands popping up like mushrooms, Never Say Die! tour lineups stacking all different kinds of hardcore bands together, resulting in tears and broken noses in the pit for completely different reasons, the whole idea of "sad music for sad dudes" escaping the purely commercial aspect and opening the discussion for mental health issues... I bet you had forgotten about that, hadn't you?
While we let the Tumblr-filter-tinted nostalgia sink in, let's talk about the album. "How To Disappear" encapsulates everything Casey is about, but more self-aware. In the years between their breakup and reunion, the UK melodic post hardcore scene further evolved and Casey didn't sleep on the fact. Taking lessons from the bands that are currently riding that wave, the quintet absorbs bits and parts which they assimilate and interpret in their own unique way. They make good use of the melodic patterns we know and love, enriched with shoegaze elements, to create a captivating, almost cinematic, atmosphere in every single song. Casey however hasn't forgotten their hardcore roots and deliver masterful build-ups when needed.
For the sake of the discourse, one could argue that the Welsh are playing it safe, resorting to the tricks they know because they can't keep up with the trends. It is my personal belief that it's not lack of potential, but rather a matter of willingness. If Casey had jumped on that bandwagon and played music that is only appealing to a broad audience to justify their reunion, their success would have been precarious. Trends tend to change very fast, but remaining true to yourself takes courage and ultimately, these guys know how to create timeless art. Even if we argue that "oldschool hardcore fans will be disappointed", we also need to point out that the "oldschool fans" in question are, like myself, people who grew with the band; we may not be in our early 20's anymore but, while some of our coping mechanisms are still the same, we are now more mature in the way we consume music. Even though we can all be stubborn at times, we are able to accept and respect the growth of the creative minds behind it. I feel that the only people who will be "disappointed" with the new album are those who were late to the party and who only acknowledge "Love Is Not Enough" because of the heaviness. There's nothing wrong with superficiality of course, but if you really understand Casey, you can't but follow along on their journey because it resonates with your personal experiences.
The journey of healing is not linear and Tom Weaver, much like the listeners, knows it well. Some of his wounds may have left scars, some may still be open, but the singer is not as sore anymore. Although he has stopped picking his scabs, a condition that's felt natural for a long time, and is now in a better place, he remains as raw and honest as always. Both in terms of lyricism and performance, he is pouring his heart and soul. As Casey moved on from their hardcore beginnings, Tom's vocals have also evolved to better fit the sound. He is progressively relying less on screaming, and focusing more on his emotive singing voice. The warm timbre, especially on his lower register, enables him to experiment on varying levels of expressiveness. It's not unusual however for Tom to employ grit and raspiness to help convey his darker sentiments. His vivid storytelling allows us to peek into his psyche while he's trying to make sense of grief and loss, either on his own or asking for enlightenment from the forces that be. In the end he is left vulnerable and open but he's made peace with those parts of himself, waiting for flora to bloom.
Overall, "How To Disappear" is the perfect comeback album. Less dreamy but equally intense as "Where I Go When I'm Sleeping", it keeps a great balance between up-tempo patterns, somber acoustic parts, and gut-wrenching vocals. The result feels therapeutic and establishes Casey as a comfort band now more than ever. They are mature in the way they approach the compositions; they pick up where they left off with new eyes, enriching their sound all while maintaining the intrinsic nature of their music, and therefore making "How To Disappear" definitely worth the wait.
10/10
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