From the short intro on Theatrics I’m torn between whether this could be a more upbeat introduction for The Apprentice or a Fightstar sound-alike, but after the first 30-odd seconds, oh how I find out how wrong I was.
Versaemerge
As the intro seamlessly blends into The Hider, I find out that there is no Charlie Simpson wannabe lurking in the shadows of this band, oh no, it’s actually a Hayley Williams-a-like in the form of the uber-glam Sierra Kusterbeck.
Now don’t get me wrong with the Paramore comparison, because I know you’re all going to say, “If you like Paramore, you’ll like Versaemerge.” and hell, I don’t half! As a massive Paramore fan, it’s lovely to find another band I can worship during the summer months, and thank goodness, they are super hot to look at!
Past Praying For utilises the string sounding section beautifully to produce a haunting rock song that really makes it clear that Versaemerge are one of the bands you need in your life for the coming year.
I can’t quite put my finger on where I have heard the melody behind Moments Between Sleep, but it is definitely my favourite song on the album, Anthony Martone keeps pace wonderfully behind his super hot drum kit whilst Blake Harnage and Jerry Pierce make my ears dance with joy as they deliver super sexy guitar hooks. You can’t forget that delicious Devin Ingelido either though, his bass gets into your belly deeper than when a boy you are crushing on kisses you for the first time.
Whisperer has an intro that sounds a lot like Fightstar’s Floods,. But that’s really where the similarities end, with Blake Harnage giving some delicious background vocal support to this haunting, key-led number.
Closing track Clocks is an ambitious four-minute number, but with only five real songs on here, it’s clear they want to get the most out of the record, and this is a gorgeous way to end the record: a slow love song that really give Sierra and Blake the chance to show off their perfectly paired voices. It’s the kind of song that makes you realise it is being single and on the shelf…
I know there will be the odd emo kid who vow not to deviate from their favourite ginger heard starlet who made 2009 her own, but there are new kids in town now, and it looks like the female-fronted rock band of 2009 belongs to Sierra Kusterbeck and friends.
Rating:5/5 - My new favourite band
Skip To:Moments Between Sleep - it’s just mint!