Abandoned Malls of America: The Resurgence of Emo in the Age of Corporate Burnout
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- October 28, 2023
The haunting silence of abandoned malls, with their vast empty spaces and remnants of a bygone era, is a poignant metaphor for the passage of time. Among these desolate corridors, one can almost hear the faint echoes of emo anthems that once blared from the speakers of stores catering to a generation of angst-ridden teens.
These were the very shops where emo t-shirts, adorned with band logos and melancholic lyrics, beckoned to those who wore their hearts on their sleeves. Yet, in stark contrast to the stillness of these vacant spaces stands the band “Abandoned Malls of America”, a band that’s breathing new life into the emo genre, with a touch of punk energy and a heavy dose of millennial cynicism.
The track “Spring Grove”, released in July is a testament to this. Inspired by corporate burnout, pandemic-induced loneliness, and the glimmer of hope found in love, it’s a song that resonates with anyone who’s ever felt the weight of the world on their shoulders. The band’s frontman, Robert S Tallman Jr, pours his heart out in the lyrics, capturing the essence of what it means to be a disillusioned millennial in today’s world.
Check out Spring Grove by Abandoned Malls of America on Spotify
But it’s not just the lyrics that stand out. The band’s sound is a frenzied blend of classic emo and modern punk, with guitar-driven melodies that are both nostalgic and fresh, roaring with a fiery tempo and vigour that is anything but vacant. It’s a sound that appeals to fans of bands like Pup, Joyce Manor, and Jeff Rosenstock, but also to those who grew up listening to the emo giants of the early 2000s, like Taking Back Sunday and My Chemical Romance.
Speaking of their core fanbase, it’s clear that Abandoned Malls of America knows its audience. These are millennials who came of age during the emo boom, who wore their hearts on their sleeves and scribbled lyrics in the margins of their notebooks. Now, as they navigate the challenges of adulthood, they’re looking for music that speaks to their current experiences, without losing touch with their roots. And this band delivers just that.
Readers eager to check take a wander down the “Abandoned Malls of America” can explore their music and journey via their socials; Spotify, YouTube, Apple Music, Bandcamp, Facebook, Instagram. If you enjoyed this, check out more reviews from IAMUR here… You might just find your new favourite artist!
