After releasing a crushing debut EP in 2015, Oakland’s Super Unison deliver more than just standard post-hardcore with full-length ‘Auto’. This recent addition to Deathwish Inc.’s impossibly perfect collection of talented artists effortlessly blurs the lines of all things “post.”
The album’s socio-political themes and perfectly planned guitar work shift and evolve, tunneling through economic issues and the Conservative Party’s idea of “gender” roles. While many listeners might be looking for a subset of Punch (singer/bassist Meghan O’Neil Pennie’s former hardcore outfit), they won’t exactly find that on ‘Auto’. However, the best parts of Punch are certainly present and blend in feminist sentiments with a sound much larger than one would expect from a three-piece.
O’Neil Pennie’s sometimes exaggerated vocals snap to and fro with force and a hint of sarcasm; a dazzling indifference reminiscent of Kathleen Hanna and Allison Wolfe. Vocals aren’t the only element where Riot Grrrl inspirations creep through, with ‘Prove Yourself’ and ‘You Don’t Tell Me’ combating the frustrations of “living in a man’s world” (or the many grievances of being a woman in the music industry).
Jumping to bludgeoning track ‘Luxury,’ a song that brings social privilege to the forefront where O’Neil Pennie wails “our future is a luxury.” O’Neil Pennie’s vocals swing high like a pendulum over the glimmering drums of Justin Renninger (formerly of Snowing) and Kevin DeFranco’s high-treble guitar distortions, unafraid to throw the truth into your face.
Quasi-love ballad ‘Time & Distance’ showcases the sensitivity and endurance of relationships faced with long distances. Offering a melodic bassline and vow-like lyrics, O’Neil Pennie promises “If you wait for me, you won’t have to wait long / If you look for me, you won’t have to look far.” Shifting emotional gears, ‘Broken’ is the most resentful track on the album, including agony-filled lyrics “I can’t forget, I won’t forgive / That’s just not how I want to live.”
Vulnerability and frustration might lay at the foundation of this record, but perseverance and self-belief carry us through with the outro title track. “So much to gain / So much to lose” reminds us that we never know how much something can affect us until we take a risk. Whether the outcome affects us positively or negatively, it’s the act of risk-taking that helps us grow, individually and together.
Call it post-hardcore, post-punk, post-whatever: we’re just going to call a spade a spade. This album is fiercely unapologetic and we’re way too excited about Super Unison’s brilliant future.
JACLYN O’CONNELL