by Alice Zakusilo (@GhostyShibe)
Be prepared to be swept away with Sweeping Promises’ album, Good Living is Coming For You, an album full of post-punk goodness. The duo of Lira Mondal and Caufield Schnug formed in late 2019 but they’ve been making waves in the music scene long before then, playing together in Mini Dresses. Originally from Boston, and now based in Lawrence, Kansas, Sweeping Promises delivers a magnificent, crunchy, gritty, rough-around-the-edges in the best way possible post-punk album. They stand-out with strong vocals, bringing attitude but also a tongue-in-cheek playfulness that certainly makes them a unique band.
Sweeping Promises’ powerful piercing vocals, grungy guitar, and oddly hypnotizing synth lines combine with the post-punk atmosphere to make this band unforgettable, leaving the listener with a lasting impression. This album deals with depressing themes, like different forms of distress, highlighted on “Can’t Hide It,” as Mondal sings, “Oh, how do you manage to do so much damage?” over one of the album’s grungier, darker tracks. However, the duo’s sound still remains bright and chock full of surreal riffs, vibrant bass lines, and ethereal, mystifying vocals. This bright energy is consistent throughout the entire album itself, even when the songs sway darker. The versatility ranges from tracks that are completely otherworldly, mystifying even, to quickly going to an aggressive no-nonsense sound in a matter of a couple of songs. It's clear Sweeping Promises aren’t messing around, especially seen in a couple of the standout tracks on this album, “Eraser,” “Shadow Me,” and “You Shatter,” and yet the entire record is filled with songs that are utterly gorgeous and magnificent in their own ways.
“Eraser” was the first track on this album to be released as a single. It serves a bold and energizing start to the album with an explosive performance that’s elegant but has a piercing intensity that demands the listener's attention. The vocals start softly, before quickly rising to a thunderous pitch, complemented by the synths and the out-of-this-world guitars. As an opener to the album, Sweeping Promises come swinging out of the gate. “Shadow Me” has a playful energy to it, a bounciness that makes it a bit reminiscent of surf rock, sounding carefree and light, complimented by the woozy synths and the extremely dynamic vocals. Packing an absolute punch, “Shadow Me” ends up having an eccentric feel to it almost, giving it a fun kind of groove.
“You Shatter,” released as a single before the full album's release, is immensely powerful and very reminiscent of the 80s synth wave. With a fuzzy sound, Mondal’s explosive vocals come in to make this track especially impactful. The guitar riffs, in particular, carry such wonderful angst and edge, really bringing in an essential post-punk kind of punk flair.
This album is made for eccentrics, its wide variety and ability to incorporate so many different styles truly make it something very special. Listening all the way through is a trip, with all sorts of twists and turns that turn it into an adventure. Good living is indeed coming for you. Despite hardships and difficulties in life, the album serves as an inspiration, a drive to stay optimistic and full of hope for the future.