Written by Richie Oliver
Blending the messages of Rage Against the Machine, The Clash, and the Beastie Boys into an emo sound is no small feat. Released on June 11th, America Part Two’s newest single, “Criminalize,” does exactly that.
Alex Fabio’s vocal stylings really accentuate the song in a great way. Lending to it’s emo sound, Fabio’s voice is a standout moment of the single, making sure the listener really understands his message.
The instrumentation on the track is also of note. Fabio’s guitar work alongside bandmate Fred Rainville’s instrumentation create an all-around cohesive and effective sound.
The introduction to the song, with its lazy, out-of-tune demeanor, is a perfect introduction for “Criminalize.” Thinking about the message of the song, what better way to introduce the song than with an intro that says, “what’s the point?”
Then, the breakdown hits. Heavy sounding drums and guitar chords fit along well with the screaming vocals, all combining together at the end of the breakdown to deliver one final rocking chorus worthy of the song it’s attached to.
Coming in at around three minutes, this song is on the shorter side, but the band succeeds in throwing everything they have into those 3 minutes. Going from lazy, to rocking, to heavy, then back to rocking is an interesting dynamic range that America Part Two explores in three minutes.
“Criminalize,” by America Part Two is a journey of angst, hopelessness, and fear, mixed into an exploratory sound that takes the listener through the mind of the singer.
“Criminalize,” is available for streaming on all streaming services. Make sure to follow America Part Two on Twitter @americaparttwo. What do you think about their new song? Let us know on Twitter @lgndsoftmrw.