Sleave‘s “How To Get Over“ exemplifies how music genres should be mixed properly. Mixing post-hardcore, post-grunge, alternative rock, indie rock, and pop-punk, Sleave crafts an album that feels fresh, unique, innovative, and versatile, yet deeply rooted in the essence of emo-core music. From start to finish, “How To Get Over” combines together powerful riffs, soaring vocals, and intricate arrangements that move fluidly between calm, ethereal moments and explosive, aggressive segments. Their ability to glide between emotions and sonic textures makes this album not just good but exceptional.
The album wastes no time drawing you in, with melodic vocals that soar over heavy, distorted guitars. From the first track, you know this is going to be a ride. Sleave has a talent for creating melodies that stick with you long after the music stops. There’s a vulnerability in the lead singer’s voice, which captures the melancholy and emotional depth the album is trying to convey. What’s impressive, though, is how these vocals are not one-dimensional. They expertly glide between low, mid, and high notes, effortlessly adjusting to the mood of the music. When the songs call for it, the vocals can be soft and soothing, lulling you into a relaxed state, only to rise into a crescendo that matches the intensity of the music. It’s the kind of dynamic few bands have mastered, and Sleave comfortably sits alongside those renowned acts. But what really stands out are the backing vocals and singalongs that propel the release into another stratosphere. At various key moments throughout this material, these elements come into play, adding layers of emotional weight and power to the music. The singalongs feel cathartic, as though you’re part of a collective emotional release. In these moments, the music feels alive, almost communal, like you’re part of something bigger than yourself. It’s the kind of energy you’d expect to feel at a live show, where the entire crowd is belting out the lyrics together. These singalong sections aren’t just throwaway moments—they are integral to the emotional ebb and flow of the album. They lift the music when it needs lifting, and they bring the listener deeper into the experience.
The guitar work throughout “How To Get Over” is another undeniable strength of this band. The album is packed with heavy, powerful riffs that drive the songs forward with a sense of purpose. These aren’t just your average power chords either; there’s complexity here, with both technical and natural arpeggiated and regular chord progressions. The guitars create a balance between aggression and melody, much like bands in the post-hardcore scene like Balance And Composure, Citizen, or Title Fight, where the heaviness doesn’t overpower the melody but rather complements it. The transitions between these heavy sections and the more melodic, calm moments are so smooth, that you hardly notice the shift happening—one moment you’re being hit with a wall of sound, and the next you’re floating in a sea of clean, beautiful chords. And this is perhaps where “How To Get Over” shines brightest: its ability to effortlessly glide between moments of calm serenity and explosive energy. There are tracks where the music builds from almost a whisper to a roar, mirroring the emotional arc of the lyrics. These transitions aren’t forced, and they don’t feel like the band is trying too hard to check off boxes. Instead, they feel natural, like the music is taking you on a journey and each song is a stop along the way. You can hear the post-grunge influences come through during the more mellow sections, with guitars that echo and reverberate, creating an almost ethereal atmosphere. In these quieter moments, the music feels introspective, almost like the band is allowing you to take a breath before plunging back into the chaos.
It’s the balance of serenity and aggression that gives the album its sense of depth and range. You can tell Sleave is not interested in sticking to one formula. They’re not just a post-hardcore band, a pop-punk band, or an alternative rock band—they’re all of those things, and more. On “How To Get Over,” the band moves between genres with ease, blending them into something that feels cohesive and fresh. The heavier, riff-laden moments call to mind the raw energy of many late nineties and early noughties bands, while the more melodic, ethereal sections bring in elements of indie rock and shoegaze acts. It’s a genre-melding approach that works because Sleave understands how to make each of these influences serve the greater whole, rather than simply imitating them. The rhythm section also deserves its due praise. The bass lines are thick and driving, grounding the songs in a sense of weight that feels essential when the guitars and vocals are soaring above. The drums are equally impressive, moving from soft, restrained playing during the quieter sections to full-on power during the heavier moments. The drumming never feels out of place, even during the album’s most chaotic moments. There’s a precision to the playing that keeps everything locked in, yet it never feels overly mechanical. It’s tight but organic, allowing the music to breathe while still keeping the energy high.
Lyrically, How To Get Over is a reflection on personal growth, heartache, and the struggles of moving forward. The lyrics aren’t overly poetic or abstract—they’re direct and to the point, which works well in the context of the music. There’s something deeply relatable about them, as though they’re pulling from shared experiences that we’ve all gone through at some point in our lives. The album deals with themes of loss and finding the strength to move on, but it does so in a way that feels hopeful rather than defeated. You get the sense that, despite the hardships, there’s light at the end of the tunnel, and that’s a message that resonates throughout the album. “How To Get Over” is a cathartic and comforting album. It’s a collection of cleverly assembled songs that move you emotionally, while still delivering the sonic punch you’d expect from a post-hardcore or post-grunge band. Sleave has created a piece of work that balances the heaviness of aggressive rock music with the beauty of melody, and they do so with a level of skill that sets them apart from the remainder of the scene. “How To Get Over” is a must-listen for anyone who appreciates music that feels raw, honest, and emotionally charged. Head to Engineer Records for more information about ordering.
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