Not many bands would choose to describe themselves as ‘emo’ especially with a sound like Haverford’s.
Whilst the lyrics have hints of the evocative genre the syntax and musical tones are much more complex, and having only formed in 2012 it’s pretty incredible to hear the five-piece sound so put together.
With half of the EP’s tracks only wavering on the 1 and a half/2 minute mark, the first listen of Wisdom Lost makes it hard to distinguish singular songs, but a general sombre manner is projected immediately through distorted guitars and grunge-like vocals.
On second and third play-throughs however, the lyrical moments start to shine giving the shorter tracks such as “Vacation”, a more poetic feel.
With the musical structure not really breaking any interesting margins it is the intricate lyrics that make Haverford worthy of your time.
What the Long Island band achieve is cohesion, bringing every song together as more of a story with themes of hopelessness and self-doubt, rather than an EP with a new favourite song on.
Wisdom Lost is thought provoking a solid starting point for Haverford. If they are able to expand musically as much as their have managed to with their lyrics then the full length that is currently in the works is a very exciting prospect.
