After a hiatus, Sport returns with In Waves, an album that will immediately become one of your favorites in your record collection. Hailing from Lyon, France, Sport have long been recognized for threading the needle between frenetic, noodly guitar interplay and deep emotional resonance, a lineage tracing back to bands like Snowing and Algernon Cadwallader, but while they draw from that particular style, Sport never feels derivative. In Waves exemplifies how they matured as musicians, refined their craft, and emerged with technically precise and profoundly emotional record. From the first notes, the album establishes its sonic identity. Its airy, interlocking guitar lines bounce atop intricate, melodic basslines that anchor each track with surprising warmth. The opener immediately signals the band’s intent. The guitars thread mathematically precise riffs, but each progression is packed with feeling, tension, and release. The commanding drum beats dance in a jazz-like sensibility and a punk-inflected way, with every fill perfectly timed, each cymbal crash serving the song rather than distracting from it. In other words, Sport have cultivated an enviable balance between technical skill and emotional impact, something just a few modern emo bands managed to do.
Vocally, Sport achieve what many bands in the genre aspire to but seldom execute with such clarity, anthemic, organic, soulful harmonies, imbued with narrative weight. These are voices that do not simply accompany the instruments but rather converse with them, creating counterpoints that elevate the lyrical content. The emotional themes—heartbreak, longing, self-doubt, and the restless energy of youth—are rendered with a rare honesty that feels both confessional and universal. There is no trace of cynicism or calculated pathos here; instead, the listener is invited into a space of shared vulnerability, where each note and word resonates with authenticity. Songs move with a sense of inevitability, their progressions twisting and turning in unexpected yet natural ways. There is a nearly progressive sensibility at work, a quiet passage might suddenly bloom into a cacophony of guitars, bass, and drums, only to retreat into hushed, reflective moments. These shifts never feel contrived, rather, they mirror the turbulent inner landscapes the lyrics evoke. These tracks form a cohesive journey worth repeating over and over again. There is an intellectual pleasure in following these intricate paths, as well as a deeply human one in feeling the raw emotions they communicate.
There’s a carefullness in Sport’s songwriting, a precision in the interplay between instruments, and an attention to sonic texture that feels almost orchestral at times, yet this technicality never undermines the emotional core. Quite the contrary, it magnifies noodly guitars, the elegant basslines, and the detailed drum beats that seem to anticipate each musical turn. All of these elements converge to amplify the narrative of longing, confusion, and hope that runs through the lyrics. Sport also brilliantly utilizes space and dynamics. Unlike many contemporaries who often adhere to relentless intensity, In Waves breathes in every possible way. There are quiet moments, near-ambient interludes where the guitars shimmer and the bass hums in warm resonance, creating tension before the band bursts forth with the cathartic energy that fans have long associated with their work. These dynamics are not mere decorations but structural pillars of the album, shaping the listener’s emotional experience and demonstrating a remarkable confidence in pacing and storytelling. We cannot discuss this record without acknowledging their evolution in musicianship. Compared to their earlier releases, the playing on In Waves is more assured and daring. The rhythm section is flexible and challenging, propelling songs forward with an elasticity that supports the restless guitar lines rather than competing with them. The harmonic sophistication of the guitars suggests a band that has studied its craft intensely, yet the music retains a human touch, resisting any sterilization that excessive technicality can bring. Sport sound fully in control, yet still alive, present, and unafraid to let the music take unexpected turns.
Lyrically, the album operates on multiple levels. The words often grapple with themes of transition and impermanence, reflecting their own journey of hiatus and return, as well as the universal challenges of navigating adulthood and emotional complexity. There is a poetic quality to the lyrics, where vulnerability is met with strength and distress, carrying the faint glimmer of hope. Listeners are invited to inhabit these spaces, to confront their own internal questions while being buoyed by the intricacy and beauty of the musical backdrop. Sport’s lyricism always feels earned through lived experience, pointing out careful attention to the ways language can interact with melody and rhythm. If you ever lose interest in emo music, this record will change the way you’re thinking, mainly because of its capacity to capture the intensity, uncertainty, and beauty of lived experience through a synthesis of emotion and skill. Modern emo does not sound better than this. Sport have delivered a masterclass in musicianship and a deeply human statement of art, housed in eleven excellent songs. Each listen reveals new layers, whether it be the subtle interplay of rhythm and melody, the delicate harmonic shifts in the guitars, or the emotional resonance of the lyrics and vocal harmonies. Sport have emerged from their hiatus with a clarity and maturity that makes their previous work feel like the first chapters in a much larger story. The album is complex but never convoluted, and it demands your utmost attention.
Sport have crafted a masterpiece that redefines what contemporary emo can be, blending their technical skills, lyrical sophistication, and emotional honesty into a cohesive, unforgettable experience. For those who have followed the band from their early days, this record confirms that their hiatus has only deepened their artistry, and for new listeners, it stands as a perfect entry point into a world of melodic complexity, heartfelt lyricism, and instrumental brilliance. Head to Nasty Cut Records for more information about ordering.
Thoughts Words Action 