November 8th, 2013 
Drew Caruso 
Artist: Title Fight
Album: Spring Songs
Genre: Punk/Hardcore
Label: Revelation Records
I believe we are all here for the same reason at this point. Kingston’s Title Fight have been reassuring their stature at the top of the scene for years now. Floral Green found itself as one of my favorite albums of 2012, while Shed is ever close to my heart.
There should be no surprise that Title Fight’s newest work, EP Spring Songs, is any less of a caliber of polish and craftsmanship than we have seen before. The band’s first release on their new home, Revelation Records, Title Fight share the roster with legendary acts. Quicksand and Youth of Today before them, Spring Songs is a welcomed introduction to the established, and highly influential community.
The beautiful thing about music, I find, is how cyclical it can be. I grew into my music tastes in my early teenage years, back in the early 2000s. Shaped by bands like The Used, Glassjaw, and Thrice, it was only a matter of time until I found Dinosaur Jr., Sunny Day Real Estate, Sonic Youth, and other auxiliary acts. I can’t help but think that kids growing in the scene today will be getting their first guitars for birthdays, holidays, allowances, you name it, and cranking “27” to ten, attempting to learn the chords.
Again paired with producer Will Yip, the band decided to record on analog, solidifying their organic musicianship. With fuller and crisper textures, Title Fight dive into a sonically busy template, weaving in and out of rhythm and noise. Opener, “Blush,” is as aggressive as ever, and certainly sets the tone for the work. While nothing new, Title Fight yet again prove that they are at the top of their genre. “Be A Toy,” a much poppier tune, will delight fans of “Lefty,” “Like A Ritual,” and “Where Am I.”
While the first half of Spring Songs will remind you why you love Title Fight, the second half proves thoughtful on the Kingston quartet’s ever evolving rhythmic shape. “Receiving Line” is a passage for a walk, or to accompany a drive. As Elliott Smith has taught us, sounds are shapes. Expanding and evolving, the waves of the guitars fluctuate like a breathing lung, while the drums pound back and forth, bringing us back to center. “Hypnotize,” arguably the best track on the record, throws the listener for a spin, much like the earlier sounds of Sonic Youth. Emulating the triumphs of J. Mascis, the band swing’s perfectly together, earning every string bend.
Spring Songs is the perfect palate cleanser. A reminder of why we love, and a taste of what’s to come, these four tracks should hold over just fine in the spare time pending Title Fight’s next LP.
SCORE: 8.5/10
Review written by: Andrew Caruso — Follow him on Twitter
Listen to the single “Be A Toy,” here.
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