Band: MINDSET
Album: Leave No Doubt
Genre: Hardcore
Label: React! Records

I’ve been straight edge my entire life (that means I’ve led a substance free lifestyle to those who don’t know), and frankly I’m really proud of it. People make jokes about it to me all the time, poking their fun and thinking it’s weird, but it’s always something that I have to explain, then I have to wait for acceptance later. It’s truly frustrating, and I’m starting to grow tired of having to explain myself to people, but it’s something I’ve learned to deal with.  It’s always an uphill battle trying to feel comfortable in social situations, but I’ve gotten better over time. However there are days where I need some encouragement, where I need to hear someone tell me “I understand, and I’m fighting alongside with you.” MINDSET’s new record Leave No Doubt is my favorite hardcore album of the year, and it’s because their unrelenting passion for standing up for who they are, what they believe in, and their love and drive to create a community around positive ideas.

Let’s start with the basics first: musically this is MINDSET’s best work, and that’s not that hard to see. The drums are fast, loud, but technically so tight.  Guitars are fast when they need to be, slow when they need to be, frankly the guitars just get your heart really pumping. In my first listen through of the record, I continually visualized how this would translate live, and it got me really excited. Straight edge youth crew has always been my favorite style of hardcore but lyrically and musically, and this is the best sounding record of the year for this genre.

However I’d be lying to you if I didn’t say the reason Leave No Doubt is already feeling like one of my favorite records of the year despite having it for only a few days is due to the lyricism of their singer Ev. There’s something about his vocals and the way he delivers his message that makes me not just lose my mind when I see them live, but reminds me that I’m not crazy. He says what’s on his mind and doesn’t feel the need to tip toe around the hard subjects. Personally, the song “Thrive” affects me in a way I don’t think I could properly describe, other than I understand. Our generation is so relaxed, complacent, and just “okay with surviving” and it makes no sense. “Thrive” calls listeners to not just get by, but fight and continually better yourself every day. I work really hard to become the best version of myself, and it means so much to me that there are others who see this as a constant battle. Other standout tracks include title track “Leave No Doubt,” which is the youth crew anthem of the year, and “War” which screams some of the most genuine lyrics I’ve seen in a while, “The battlefield lies in our hearts and minds not a trench or some distant shore.”

I think the thing about MINDSET’s Leave No Doubt is that while it’s fantastic and will be something I will spin constantly in the coming months, it is not truly appreciated until you see them play live. There is something inspiring about the band and the community they’ve created, and that was perfectly exemplified yesterday at their record release show in Baltimore. I have not walked out of a show feeling so proud to be who I am in so long, and that’s in large part to MINDSET and the bands that played, but I think it’s mostly because the people that come with this music are some of the most honest and genuine people that I have ever met. I went to the show with one of my best friends for his 18^th birthday, and I could not have been happier with not just seeing MINDSET play and picking up this record up on vinyl, but sharing the experience with the greatest community I’ve ever seen. I feel accepted, I feel valued, and that’s something I really need in my life. All of the struggles and hardships are validated when I get to listen to albums like Leave No Doubt and share in that experience with others who understand. Hardcore lives, and MINDSET is carrying the torch for a new generation.

SCORE: 9.5/10

Leave No Doubt is available to preorder via React! Records on 10/17/12, and you can pick that up here. It is available on Spotify and iTunes right now.

Written by: Tyler Osborne

• Author
• Recent Posts

Tyler Osborne

Live in DC, grew up in PA. I specialize in writing, filming and taking pictures about punk, pop-punk, and hardcore music, and I also have a huge background in film as well. When not on the site, i'm running my own internet radio show, ToZ's Edge Radio (www.facebook.com/tozedgeradio). I also love stage diving and goldfish.

Latest posts by Tyler Osborne (see all)

• UTG PREMIERE: Kill Lincoln – “Good Riddance to Good Advice” Music Video - March 10, 2015
• REVIEW: You Blew It! – ‘Pioneer of Nothing’ EP - January 26, 2015
• Kill Lincoln Announce Spring Tour - January 14, 2015