Discography Deep Focus: Coletta

Story posted October 18, 2022 in CommRadio, Arts & Entertainment by Luca Miceli

The stars cast a warm light over an open snow covered field light years away from interference that could possibly tamper with their beauty. Not a breeze to disturb a spec of the tranquil snowscape. Until, the earth tears apart as the snapping and cracking of the ancient rock below give way to the incinerating glow of the mantle magma–Chaotic tranquility.

Few bands can meld the intensity of post hardcore guitar and screaming with the pondering wanderlust and enveloping feel of psychedelic bands. Coletta, the Atlanta based four piece formed in 2018, not only attempts but does so with raging success creating the aforementioned tranquil chaos.

“Mind and Time” (2018)

“Mind and Time”, the bands first and only extended play, released quietly. Those who did find it were pulled on a roller coaster through the mind of the singer grappling with anxiety, toxic relationships, and self-confidence.

Beginning with the lighter, semi-existential water park vibe that is “Flower Child” into the song that arguably has the most catchy guitar: “Lemonade Soda.” The singer dawns a mask of bitter retaliation to toxic friends, but the ruse soon dissipates as the isolation creeps into his head leading seamlessly into the EP’s undeniably greatest hit “Blossom.”

A somber melody plays invoking the image of cherry blossoms as the song quickly shifts into some beautifully visceral gritty vocals that inject the tune with the final ingredient needed to be a mainstay on any post hardcore fans playlist. This is where the post hardcore and the psycadelic fuse into its own distinct sound.

“Raspberry Cough” is next acting as the whimsically intense evolution of the previous song and then on to “The Bee’s Knees” as the singer tries to let go of his anxiety’s before being pulled back under in the next song that closes out the saga “Handbook for the Recently Deceased”. The final song of Coletta’s first foray into the scene is more than fitting and pulls the themes and motifs together in a grit infused bow.

“Mind and Time” towers over other scene bands as one of the finest collections of music in idea and execution.

“Idealism” (2020)

After such a powerful first foray, how did the first album stack up? “Idealism” acts as an evolution of the sound created in “Mind and Time” but leans into the psychedelic and rap elements.

“Life, Death, and the Pursuit of Happiness” is a very slow song that creates abstract shapes and colors capturing the essence of floating in space–a motif that remains front and center throughout the entire album.

Flaunting some funky twangs and guitars that latch right onto the listeners urge to dance and let loose with the singer “Agoraphobia” is an excellent addition to an often slow paced meander.

As mentioned before, the rap makes a strong return featuring first at the end of “Memento Mori” which encapsulates the bitter numbness of the singer. Utilizing lighter guitars and breathier singing the song truly feels like a stream of conscience.

The next song, “Wonderlust” embodies the title perfectly. Serenity is the best way to describe the mood. It acts as the listener and singer’s reprieve from the anxiety and angst featured in the lyrics before. “Wonderlust” is undeniably one of the album’s most beautiful works.

That vibe continues into “I know You so Well”, before shifting into a much more grounded shamisen melody in “Bloom”. There’s not just a shift in sound but also tone as the singer now actively takes a role in climbing out of the depressive depths rather than passively drifting through.

Until, “Sweet Nothing” where the singer’s new found confidence causes him to push away the one person who helped him find said inner strength represented through the lyrical content, and vindictive cheshire grin sound.

As a result of his previous happenings, he relapses in “Fever Dream” which as the name suggests ends up an organized jumble representing the discomfort he once again feels. While it is important to the album’s narrative and theme, “Fever Dream” is probably the least interesting track.

Marking the final stage of the cycle, “Butterflies” and “Enouement” feature enveloping sounds to emphasize how the singer lost his drive to continue and is once again floating through the depths of depression. These last two songs flow seamlessly into one another and then straight into the opening track again emphasizing the destructive loop the album captures.

“Idealism” is a ride, though a ride gently floating the listener through the clouds rather than the post-harcore roller-coaster rip that is “Mind and Time”. Both Coletta offerings are phenomenal, both lyrically and stylistically. Any Dance Gavin Dance or Still Woozy fans will be left with butterflies as their love for the band blooms and blossoms.

Five Essential Songs:
“Blossom”
“Raspberry Cough”
“Flower Child”
“Wonderlust”
“Bloom”

Special thanks to Jacob “Clutch” Cannon for providing knowledge of music theory and identifying instruments.

Luca Miceli is a first year majoring in telecommunications. To contact him please email lfm5592@psu.edu.