If you start with a base of ‘On Letting Go’ era Circa Survive, add a generous helping of soulful bass and crank up the urgency just a notch, you get somewhere close to the rich, sophisticated sound of Rome Hero Foxes. ‘For When You’re Falling Backwards’ is so natural and accomplished in its mix of serene melody and tasteful aggression that it’s hard to believe this is the band’s debut record.
‘Falling Out’ kicks things off in mesmerising style as its infectious chord progression and melodic verse pattern nurses you through waves of high-impact choruses. ‘Hunters’ allows you to catch your breath, making way for the album’s more ambient moments, which remain throughout the opening half. Although the luscious bass tone and melodic passages relax the mood, there’s enough urgency and variation in the music to prevent the songs stagnating.
Vocalist C.J. Burton’s range of vocal tones emphasises key moments and changes the mood of each song to add intrigue throughout the record. His lower range is warm and soulful, creating enchanting verse patterns, yet in the frantic chorus and bridge sections he’s able to open up his voice and project his higher range above the impressive drum work and crunching guitars. Rather than sticking to obvious vocal patterns that follow the music to provide catchy hooks, Burton’s melodies are interesting and sometimes unusual. ‘Bad Thoughts’ slips into the commonly used sing-a-long method of “oh-ohs” in the bridge, but Burton’s choice of notes deviates from where you expect it go, making it intriguing and memorable rather than formulaic. It’s refreshing to be challenged in this way by vocal melody and it gives the record a unique character, making it last longer in the memory.
The second half of the album gets a burst of energy as ‘Bad Thoughts’ lifts the tempo again and this is sustained until the final note of ‘All I’ve Ever Been’. Leaving the album on such high energy is testament to the intelligence of the track listing and makes you want to listen to the whole thing all over again. This attention to the overall composition of the record mirrors the sophistication of the songwriting, making ‘For When You’re Falling Backwards’ a hugely impressive debut record.
MARK JOHNSON