Neckscars – Unhinged LP (Engineer Records, Sell The Heart Records)

Neckscars have always carried an energy you can’t fake, one that comes from years of being in loud rooms, sweating it out in DIY spaces, and writing songs that sound even better when performed live. Their new album, Unhinged, arrives as a next step for a band that has already learned what works and what doesn’t. It’s the sound of musicians who know exactly where they stand, somewhere between raw post-hardcore and melodic, emotionally charged punk rock. It’s sharper, heavier, and more self-assured than their debut, but it doesn’t lose that scrappy, human edge that made them stand out in the first place. The record is full of bite and grit, but there’s also melody running through every line,  riff, and shout. Neckscars aren’t afraid of being tuneful, they just make sure the emotion behind it stays real. Nothing feels overly polished, and that’s a big part of its charm. The guitars carry a lot of the weight here,  rich and textured, with riffs balancing aggression and catchiness in equal measure. The tones are thick, leads sharp, and there’s always that slightly overdriven edge that gives everything warmth and tension at once. The rhythm section plays a massive role in shaping their identity. The bass pushes these tracks forward with tremendous power. There’s a fullness in the low end that adds gravity to the music, while the drumming keeps everything grounded with grooves, feeling alive and responsive rather than just mechanical. That dynamic sense of movement keeps Unhinged flowing organically from track to track, giving it more sense of unity without ever feeling repetitive or bland.

The lead vocals are raw, weathered, and full of confidence. There’s emotion in every crack and rasp, but it never feels forced. The harmonies thread through the choruses, adding depth and giving these songs an anthemic feel. It simply makes you wanting to sing along even before you’ve memorized the lyrics. It’s melodic, but it’s not overly glossy, a collective experience shared through loud screaming, shouting, and singing. Lyrically, Unhinged is reflective album, heavily drenched in all its honesty. The band deals with themes that come from growing up and still trying to figure out how to keep your footing, disappointment, persistence, self-doubt, hope that keeps resurfacing even when things go sideways. There’s a vividly hearable acceptance in how the band approaches these topics. They’re not pretending to have it all figured out. Instead, they’re just saying what they need to say the only way they know how, and that’s loud and unfiltered. Sonically, the band has tightened everything without losing the looseness that makes their sound authentic. You can hear how they’ve been playing together long enough to trust each other. The interplay between instruments feels instinctive, and not overly rehearsed. These songs hit that perfect point between melodic punk, post-hardcore, and old-school rock’n’roll, but they do it without sounding like they’re trying to tick boxes. It’s not about genre, it’s about hitting the right feel. Even when the guitars are resonating and the drums are striking heart, there’s a closeness in these songs, a sense that the entire material was made to be played right in front of you, and not from behind a wall of overpolished modern production. The mix keeps things clear but rough enough to feel natural. You can hear the studio reverb surrounding the instruments and all those tiny details, nuances, accentuations, and other elements that make this album so alive.

Neckscars’ influences are clear, but they don’t lean on them too heavily. You can hear echoes of Seaweed, Red City Radio, Hot Water Music, and maybe even some Dead Chic, but these are just reference points, not blueprints. The band channels those orgcore sounds into something more contemporary and their own. They understand the tradition they’re a part of, but they’re not stuck in it. Unhinged feels timeless because it’s built on the same foundation that made melodic punk rock and post-hardcore worth caring about in the first place, honesty, melody, and heart. Unhinged is intense, but not melodramatic. The band knows how to let a song breathe, how to let dynamics do the talking instead of constant volume. When the intensity drops, the emotion shifts into a different form. That subtle control gives Unhinged a shape and depth that shows real growth in their songwriting. Every track feels like part of a larger statement, and together they make an album that has direction, purpose, and power. Neckscars are the band that believes in what they’re doing, and that belief bleeds through every riff, lyric, and shouted line. That’s what gives the record its power. It’s more about shared connection and not perfection, but it’s a perfect record indeed. These folks sound tighter, heavier, and more in sync than ever. It’s an album that feels built to last. Head to Engineer Records or Sell The Heart Records for more information about ordering this melodic punk rock gem on vinyl.