The Submarines--Declare A New State!

Bands formed around romantic relationships are good, and bad. Good because the emotion, conflict, warmness, and melodies they can craft by bouncing ideas off each other can’t be matched, bad because as soon as they’re done, the band is done, and the listener has lost a great band. John Dragonetti (Jack Drag) and Blake Hazard better not ever break-up, because The Submarines are onto something big. They sort of got the best of both worlds, having broken up and written a plethora of songs about the drama, sadness, and conflict of that time. Now they’re happily married (hopefully), and using those same songs along with new ones that are lighter. Declare a New State! is their debut album together, and is filled with songs of lost hope, remorse, and dealing with the hole left when someone leaves your life for good. "Brighter Discontent" speaks of moving on to a new apartment, but still being connected to the life – and person – left behind. In "This Conversation," Dragonetti heart-wrenchingly sings "And I saw my shadow next to yours / Just fade away." The opener "Love and Hate" just about sums up relationships as being times of love and hate. The lyrics are more than simple emo, and the music has an upbeat feel that lets The Submarines sound unique and fresh, but all labels aside they just sound good. Every song is diverse and a new direction from the last, the songs are well-polished and the couple masterfully plays with the boy/girl vocal styling. A quick little debut for The Submarines, and one that is downtrodden but filled with filled with uplifting and wonderful instrumentals, and the safety of knowing that the two sad people in these songs are now happy. And as corny as that sounds, happy endings aren’t at all bad.

(Published at MusicEmissions.com)