Review Summary: And I know that it’s true, I felt it too, it’s electric.
Kurt Travis has had one of the unluckiest careers of any vocalist in the post-hardcore space. Whether it be getting booted from a band in favor of a previous vocalist, being booted from a band for seemingly no reason, or having other ventures fizzle out, he has struggled to maintain footing in one spot for a long period of time. His most recent tenure with Royal Coda seems to be secure and well-renowned, however, in the volatile and often-changing environment of swancore, nothing is permanent.
This hasn’t stopped Kurt from experimenting and putting himself out there in unconventional ways in the genre. Following the release and acclaim of the 2017 EP
Fantasy under the Eternity Forever moniker, it was unknown whether he would continue down this path alongside Brandon Ewing (ex-CHON) and Ben Rosett (Strawberry Girls) until it was revealed that the band went on hiatus due to disagreements with social media management and lack of long-term plans. Fans had hoped that there would be a continuation of the RnB aesthetic all over
Fantasy as this style seemed to suit both Travis’ songwriting and Ewing’s guitar style. Because of the clouded hiatus of the band, it wasn’t clear whether there would be a follow up to the four-track EP.
Fast forward 4.5 years later and a new group featuring Travis and Ewing emerged, with a full-length album following towards the end of 2021. Gold Necklace was born, like a phoenix out of the ashes of Eternity Forever, including both Travis and Ewing at the helm, continuing down the path of sultry RnB/alternative fusion mixed with tight, technical and punchy guitar a la CHON. Throughout the brisk, just-short-of thirty minute runtime, Gold Necklace realizes the hopes that fans of Eternity Forever (and Travis/Ewing respectively) had of a full length project, encompassing many of the creative and sonic qualities from
Fantasy with more elegant production and room to explore the ideas they had tested before.
Gold Necklace treads upon familiar ground for Travis - passionate crooning about love, relationships, insecurity, and loneliness, utilizing his unique vocal style and putting his range on full display. The album starts with a high energy track “I Felt It Too”, introducing silky hooks and is the most emblematic representation of what Travis and Ewing were looking to achieve with Eternity Forever. Similarly, tracks like “You and Me in Oceanside” and “Vibe With Me” embrace a summery California vibe, painted with sexy wailing and rapping that Kurt has become known for from both his solo efforts and Eternity Forever. “Just the Right Way” also mixes these elements well, although lyrically may be one of the weaker tracks on the album with some attempts at sounding seductive but at times falling flat.
A large portion of this album includes downtempo ballads that play into the strengths of the band members - vocal range and layering for Travis, technical but accessible guitar for Ewing, and rhythmic and not overbearing drums of Joseph Arrington (Royal Coda). “Call Me Back” has the atmosphere of a Red Hot Chili Peppers song during the verses, with the chorus truly testing Travis’ range and really shows his strength in writing a hook. Interlude tracks “Near, but so Far Gone” and “Lullaby” provide reprieve from the meat of the album, providing simple moments of atmosphere and melancholy. “Padme” stands out as the strongest track on the album, while not lyrically complex or nuanced, really highlights every member of the group and is likely the most varied track that Travis/Ewing have written between this album and
Fantasy. Sometimes, simplicity is the best recipe for quality, and this track includes simple concepts executed with technical prowess. This is in contrast to a track like "Tootsie Roll" which starts off feeling familiar but sprinkles in unexpected elements like a funky bridge and octave rise towards the end.
Gold Necklace has proven to be a proper vehicle for talented musicians like Travis and Ewing to explore fresh and interesting ideas in a genre that continues to become more stale and predictable as years go by. Kurt Travis has never been a stranger to experimentation or changes of scenery, but hopefully with where he is now, he can stand on solid ground and devote himself to his passions. The last few years have proven that his luck has changed, let’s just hope that continues. For now, Gold Necklace has stamped its place as a properly-treated side project with a bright future ahead.
