Hardcore group continues to surpass expectations...
On Saturday, May 10th, Baltimore's own hardcore legends Turnstile took to the stage at Wyman Park Dell, marking their first performance in nearly two years. This event was organized to benefit Health Care For The Homeless, raising over fifty thousand dollars for the initiative and reaffirming their status as contemporary icons of the scene. Their previous tour had them playing arenas alongside blink-182, but this concert marked a return to their roots: free admission, short notice, outdoor performances, and no barricades. They demonstrated their appreciation for their history while making space for the new, exciting, and different.
Turnstile has embraced a transformative approach for some time: 2021's ‘GLOW ON’ merged the sharp edges of hardcore with melody and synthesis, connecting their sound with influences like Blood Orange, samba, new age, and R&B. This album solidified their genre-agnostic identity, retaining their affinity for massive riffs while expanding the possibilities of what Turnstile could achieve. Although it received critical acclaim, it also divided the already discerning heavy music fanbase, with accusations of ‘selling out’ surfacing leading up to the album’s release. That sentiment continues with their fourth record, ‘NEVER ENOUGH’, which is set to create even more division as the band pushes further.
Musically, the group builds on the foundation laid by ‘GLOW ON’, this time with a stronger commitment to placing hardcore in unexpected contexts. The track ‘LOOK OUT FOR ME’ opens with a nearly four-minute electronic, Jersey-club influenced section. ‘I CARE’ features a yearning hook nestled between a fast-paced, guitar-heavy chorus. ‘LIGHT DESIGN’ has a more anthemic feel, while ‘CEILING’ could easily fit on Frank Ocean’s ‘Blonde’. Despite including elements like Rare Essence percussion, Roland Juno soundscapes, and power ballad guitars, Turnstile still delivers the substantial riffs that characterize their early work: ‘BIRDS’ begins with an ominous drone intro accented by cowbell before erupting into frenetic energy. ‘SOLE’ captures the old school Turnstile essence. It’s a masterful juxtaposition, yet the band expertly navigates the track listing.
The visual aspect accompanying ‘NEVER ENOUGH’ reinforces this theme of exploration. The band recently unveiled a visual album to accompany the LP, debuting at the prestigious Tribeca Festival. The series of music videos released alongside each single showcases stunning color grading and style, feeling more like a Criterion project than a typical hardcore release (the visual album is directed by the band’s own Brendan Yates and Pat McCrory; it's hard to believe the material presented wasn’t created by a seasoned expert). Turnstile has thoughtfully crafted a universe around ‘NEVER ENOUGH’, with an aesthetic that is cohesive and meticulously planned while still embracing unpredictability: from the pop-up shows to debuting tracks on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon. It is a visual complement to the music.
‘NEVER ENOUGH’ is not diverse for diversity’s sake. It reflects a beloved band pushing their boundaries and ideas to the limit. This is a group at their most curated and authentic. Turnstile is a band you want to be part of. Their commitment to their craft and the experience they provide has resulted in their best album to date, poised to inspire the next wave of young bands. Few bands at their level innovate and evolve as they do, and ‘NEVER ENOUGH’ spans a vast range while still retaining the essence of Turnstile that fans fell for on ‘Pressure To Succeed’. And they have certainly succeeded.
8/10
Words: James Mellen
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On Saturday, May 10th, Turnstile, the hardcore royalty hailing from Baltimore, took the stage at Wyman Park Dell, marking their first performance in almost two years.