
Common Sage - Closer To;
“Until I’m Gone” — Guitar World “Editors Pick”
“Harkens back to the slashing, dramatic screamo of the Y2K era.” — Stereogum
“‘Vehicles’ sounds like something you could picture tearing up a Fuse countdown back in ‘05.” — Alternative Press
“Common Sage have been establishing themselves as torch-carriers of early 2000s-style emo, and they really do justice to that classic aughts-era sound.” — Brooklyn Vegan
“It’s the kind of seasoned post-hardcore that cuts the difference between late-nineties clean guitar minimalism and that early-millennium heartfelt hardcore outbreak. Real talk: There aren’t many bands doing this kind of thing this well right now.” — Anti-Matter
Legendary independent New York-based rock label Equal Vision Records and Common Sage are excited to announce the release ofCloser To;, the Brooklyn, NY-based post-hardcore band’s brand new studio album. Recorded and produced by Brett Romnes (Anxious, Oso Oso, Hot Mulligan, The Movielife) at The Barber Shop Studios in Lake Hopatcong, NJ, Closer To; features the album’s new single, “47.”, a song about self reflection, specifically on some negative aspects that sometimes frontman Julian Rosen finds himself acting on. Watch the music video for “47.”, directed and edited by Rich Weinberger, over at FLOOD HERE
Whether it’s acknowledged or not, starting a “post-hardcore” band in this era is not a decision to be taken lightly. The genre, rife with copycats, naysayers, and gatekeepers, can be one of the most critical of its kind. This is why, upon first listen to Common Sage, one should keep an open mind. The Brooklyn, NY based quartet brings to the table not only a serious deference for their groundwork laying predecessors, but they offer something new to the scene altogether—which is much easier said than done.
Common Sage’s sound feels like a modern take on the melodic side of post hardcore with a strong influence from the legendary Long Island emo scene. When these dualistic stylings are partnered with a dissonant, cacophonous riff-storm, they sound something like Quicksand and Title Fight dancing a delicate ballet. This is no doubt a very calculated and deliberate musical high wire act, and it’s not something that can be accomplished by a band that has not done their due diligence.
Herein lies the secret to Common Sage; it’s less of what they choose to put on the canvas as artists, but more of what they choose to hold back that shows the true nature of the band. While something such as a simple three chord breakdown could have served them greatly in the short term—the band opts for much more artful choices, making veteran level structural decisions that you would expect from innovative songsmiths like Modest Mouse or mewithoutYou. It’s easy to see why industry pillars like Geoff Rickly and Steve Pedulla of the band Thursday or Jason Gleason of Further Seems Forever were quick to lend their talents and to the band’s new music.
This is why it is so fitting that Sage, a medicinal herb, when burned is used to cleanse the air of all its impurities. One can only hope that Common Sage can accomplish something similar within their genre, clearing out the staid tropes of the past and making way for something new to appear out of thin air.