antiMusic.com: The Departure

The Departure - Gateways EP

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The track on The Departure's Gateways EP that stands out most is actually a ballad, which is titled "Lonely Eyes." Much of this seven-song extended play is comprised of the sort of emo-y punk-metal that fills most slots at Warped Tour. But this song is different. It's build upon a sweetly strummed acoustic guitar part. Singer Ryan DeBlanc, who usually sings with a snotty, nasal-y vocal tone, tamps down those characteristics significantly on this track, and it's a pure pleasure. Its lyrics are also topnotch, particularly the heartbreaking line, "Please don't tell me to keep dreaming cuz I'll only dream of you"

That song is followed up with "The Sea Art II," which mixes moody electronic sounds with alternating clean and dirty vocals. The song also incorporates - for lack of better term - symphonic musical elements. The release closes with "Thoughts," which begins with the sort of robust guitar part that would make Switchfoot proud.

In the end, it's the variety found on Gateways EP that makes it stand out.