THE DEEP END BREAKS UNDERGROUND MUSIC BARRIERS WITH "ICARUS" RELEASE
9/23/20 Written By Emily Harris
Max McGill, the man behind the alternative rock project that is THE DEEP END, has released his newest EP, Icarus. Released on August 28th. This six track project follows his debut EP Broken Souls, which was released in 2019. This twenty-one minute EP is a curveball in all regards to the alternative industry, as each track is unique in its own way. Whether defying the scene sonically or lyrically, THE DEEP END is bound to jump to new heights with this release in his pocket.
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The EP begins with “Take Me Away,” a song that clearly indicates genre is irrelevant to the project. Swelling from a beginning thirty second long instrumental, Max’s vocals practically entice the listener into his newest creation. The sound and vocal recordings on this track are gritty and raw, something that makes the listening experience special and secretive. The first verse ends on a high note, literally, and brings the chorus into full fruition.
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Following closely is “Haunting,” a song with strong guitar riffs and hard drums. Simply, this song has a rap, pop, eerie vibe to it overall. Although seemingly three different subjects, THE DEEP END has figured out how to blend each into a fully cohesive almost four minute long track. Featuring a chorus bound to get stuck in your head and a bit of screamo additions in the tail end of the song, “Haunting” deserves extreme recognition. I can easily place it on the alternative music radio stations native to his hometown in Long Island, NY.
The halfway point of this album welcomes electronic beginnings with the track “Wasted Time.” Although being the shortest song on the EP, it’s swelling sonics make the track seem even longer. The expertly written lyric “surviving the fall again” works as an illusion to the EP title, which accounts the Greek myth of Icarus and his wings.
This leads directly into the fourth song of the EP-“When I’m Long Gone.” This is the sympathetic and emotional filled track of the EP. It recounts a love story but continues to be influenced and rooted by the alternative music scene. I find it reminiscent of the early 2000s pop punk world- where bands were writing love songs with nothing but pure emotion and strength.
The halfway point of this album welcomes electronic beginnings with the track “Wasted Time.” Although being the shortest song on the EP, it’s swelling sonics make the track seem even longer. The expertly written lyric “surviving the fall again” works as an illusion to the EP title, which accounts the Greek myth of Icarus and his wings.
This leads directly into the fourth song of the EP-“When I’m Long Gone.” This is the sympathetic and emotional filled track of the EP. It recounts a love story but continues to be influenced and rooted by the alternative music scene. I find it reminiscent of the early 2000s pop punk world- where bands were writing love songs with nothing but pure emotion and strength.
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The next track, “It’s Only Just Began” is the underdog of the EP. THE DEEP END blurs the line between trap and punk music throughout its sonics. While having a second appearance of the screamo vibes in the background, the sound is entirely different than that of “Haunting.” This song in particular almost seems like a play on the recent music genre adaptation of Blackbear and Machine Gun Kelly. Although both in the rap world, they’re bringing alt roots into it all again- something THE DEEP END brings to the table as well.
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The last song of the album, “It Goes Around Again” is very rap orientated. Although starting slow and electronic, the track quickly switches into a fast-paced lyric overload. This track, unlike the others, reminds me of Post Malone’s latest album Hollywood’s Bleeding. Continuing the intricate rap lyricism throughout the song allows the pop chorus to soar- something Posty has also welcomed into his recent release.
THE DEEP END is bound to become a popular underground artist, as his own lyricism and soaring sonics blend easily with the scene. Icarus is his open door to lead himself into your music library.
