Sheer Will: The Honest Heart Collective

While listening to this record, a funny feeling began brewing in my chest. I realized that Sheer Will feels more like a catalogue of life experiences than an album, with each song capturing a specific feeling and preserving those moments in time. Each track features unique soundscapes and, at times, completely different genres (some are pop-punk tracks, while others lean indie rock), but together they weave an incredibly dynamic and engaging listening experience. The album begins with “Deadman Walking,” a beautifully composed piano track that explodes into an evocative instrumental array towards the end. The tempo picks up slightly through the album’s body, featuring future smash hits like “Don’t Bother” and the titular track, “Sheer Will”—two outstanding examples of the pop punk genre, with powerful vocals layered on top of crunchy guitar tones. However, the album’s closing track, “Namesake,” was what earned it five stars. Its deeply personal lyrics and tasteful instrumentals genuinely brought tears to my eyes at first listen. This album is stellar.

-Sara Stoppel