I thought I’d start this review by mentioning that this is the first full album by Beth Seymour, and as she is happy to share, since coming out as transgender which has been a huge part of her journey. Beth’s story and this album resonate as much with me as when I first heard Against Me’s Transgender Dysphoria Blues, which by the way is 11 years old this year, how time has flown, and so has hopefully have perceptions of Trans people.

This is an album that, not unlike the aforementioned Against Me album, explores everything that surrounds coming out, from the the off ‘Hellboy’ looks back at a life of how feeling different, and not understanding why, can affect how you see yourself. Fighting with thoughts and emotions that can take you into very dark places. But what I love about this song and most of the album is that regardless of how deep and dark you go, it can still be accompanied by music that’s uplifting and fulfilling. The second track ‘This Dress Code Sucks’ although 100% about suffering from Gender Dysphoria, can also fit well with anyone who feels the pressure to look a certain way and dress in the clothes that define who society want you to be. This is a melodic banger that hits all the right Pop-Punk buttons and says plenty too, it’s a win win.  

Musically I find that this album gets even more interesting from ‘Haunted’ onwards, it feels like its stamping it’s mark all over ever word. The beats and breaks in this song are like an unhappy mind stamping it feet after realising that nothing will ever change and that misdemeanours in the past will always haunt you. ‘All My Friends Are Moving Westward’ has a very similar feel, although the subject matter might be different. It still use the beats and riffs to give off a feeling of frustration, whilst this is not an Against Me! album or even an Alkaline Trio monster it still has so much grab to it. Its filled with darkness that reaches out for glimmers of light, musically it always keeps upbeat, apart from maybe ‘Music Ruined My Life’ which takes you down a long and winding path of sadness and difficulty, but somehow still finds something to cling on to. This is a song that is filled with the longing to be able to speak the words that are only written, but then isn’t this exactly what the song is doing?.

It’s when we get to ‘Destiny Blue’ when things get really fucking interesting though, this is the stand out in an album of many. It’s a song that at its start uses a simple but damned brilliant riff to set the mood, it almost hits ‘Black Me Out’ status, and you do feel that this is a moment in a similar vain. It’s a set your self free from the chains that hold you back moment, the I’m coming out and I’m not looking back!!

Finishing this album is the acoustic ‘Medication’, the song that shows the sad side of being so painfully under the influence of depression and darkness, and how being on meds can become a way of life that will always be there. Reminders of times before them are enough to keep the hold, will the world ever be free from this unhappiness? A beautiful expression of how broken the mind can be. An album that says so much more than it actually says, musically strong, lyrically so fucking brave it hurts at times, but so worth every second of your time. Inside Beths head is exactly where this takes you, it’s real and with nothing to hide. If this is the first, I for one can’t wait for number two.

Hit Beth’s website and socials for everything you need.

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