Ionia – Postcards From The Edge: Chapter 1. Delta 32.
Tracklist:
- I Hate Long Pretentious Titles and I’m a Hypocrite
- Idea
- We Shall Overcome
- Spitting In the Eyes of Defeat
- Bitter
Year: 2015
Having previously shared the stage with the likes of metalcore legends The Devil Wears Prada and Chiodos, as well as a run in Warped Tour, New York based quintet Ionia are looking to hit the big leagues with their brand new EP Postcards From The Edge: Chapter 1. Delta 32. Offering a vibe of clean melodic rock hits, Ionia’s inoffensive and sometimes beautiful atmospheric style of music whistles over you in a blink, but unfortunately does not leave much more…
Opener ‘I Hate Long Pretentious Titles and I’m A Hypocrite’ (hilarious) kicks off the never ending angst of Delta 32. Other than the god-awful song title that reminds us of the days we actually enjoyed Fall Out Boy, the songs repetitive and whiny staleness unfortunately does not leave a good taste in your mouth for the rest of the EP. Things pick up on second track ‘Idea’ that edges more towards mature song-writing and atmosphere induced instrumentals behind some more genuine and heartfelt vocals. Arguably the biggest highlight of the record comes on ‘We Shall Overcome’ that delivers the most memorable work, with a big chorus and simple to-the-point rock music, something that perhaps is needed more in Ionia’s music.
Disappointingly, this is where the excitement ends, as things resume with more slow-paced angst-ridden ‘Spitting In The Eye Of Defeat’. Granted, at times the instrumentals can be genuinely moving when in the right mood, as with album closer ‘Bitter’, but the songs can demand quite a lot of you in order to enjoy them, leading to not exactly easy listening, particular when in a happy mood.
It’s difficult to see what Ionia were planning to achieve with this release. Although there are one or two moments of promise, it’s a shame to see the whole EP fall a bit flat. Although Delta 32. may appeal to those who genuinely enjoy the more depressing side of rock music, this release seems to lack any real direction.
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by Tom Vaughan, RockRevolt Magazine Contributor
