knitting’s Some Kind of Heaven: A raw and resonant debut
knitting’s debut LP Some Kind of Heaven dives deep into the complexities of identity and transition, offering a sound that’s both massive and intimate.
Produced by: Scott Munro
Montreal-based band knitting, led by Mischa Dempsey, has released their debut full-length album Some Kind of Heaven via Mint Records. Produced by Preoccupations’ Scott Munro, the LP showcases the band’s ability to blend raw emotion with powerful alt-rock energy, creating a record that is both deeply personal and universally resonant.
“Is this heaven / or its twin?” Mischa Dempsey asks on the opening track setting the tone for an album that explores the uncertainties of self-discovery and strained relationships. The record reflects Dempsey’s journey as a 20-something navigating their non-binary identity in Montreal. With brash guitar solos, thick bass lines, and whispered vocals, knitting brings Dempsey’s experiences to life, offering listeners a sonic journey that’s as introspective as it is explosive.
Despite being knitting’s first LP, Dempsey is no stranger to the music scene, having previously led the trio Lonely Parade. This experience shines through on the album, where the band’s sound is refined yet retains a raw edge reminiscent of 90s alt-rock influences like Nirvana and Hole. The album’s production, marked by layers of fuzzed-out guitars and sweeping drum fills, creates a dense soundscape that complements the lyrical themes of self-doubt, growth, and longing.
One of the standout tracks, ‘Green,’ captures the tension between past and present identities with lines like, “I’ve been scolding myself with my dead name / it’s hanging on with the ring of a catchphrase.” The track’s dirty guitar riffs and punchy drums provide a bold backdrop for Dempsey’s thoughtful lyrics, creating a powerful contrast that underscores the song’s emotional weight.
Throughout the album’s ten tracks, knitting maintains a sense of unease, with jagged melodies and pulsing bass lines that evoke the feeling of walking on eggshells. On ‘Spirit Gum,’ Dempsey’s quiet vocals give way to a sonic eruption, while ‘Sleeper’ offers a moment of clarity with its emo-inspired chorus, only to retreat into a restrained riff—a swift answer to the yearning expressed in the lyrics.
‘College Rock Song #1’ delivers a nostalgic alt-rock anthem, capturing the bittersweet moments of youth with lines like, “Homesick is a kind of home.” The track’s wailing guitars and classic rock solo by Sarah Harris highlight the band’s ability to create music that feels both timeless and contemporary.
The album’s themes culminate in ‘Family Tree,’ a track that explores the end of childhood and the inevitability of change. The push-and-pull energy of the song mirrors the tension in Dempsey’s lyrics, with the band carefully balancing moments of quiet introspection with powerful, full-band crescendos.
Some Kind of Heaven is a hard-hitting debut that showcases knitting’s ability to create music that is as thought-provoking as it is sonically engaging. The album captures the essence of a band deeply in tune with each other, delivering a record that is sure to resonate with anyone who has ever felt disconnected or in search of themselves.
Standout Songs: ‘Heaven,’ ‘Green,’ ‘Spirit Gum,’ ‘Family Tree,’ and ‘College Rock Song #1.’
Release Date: September 6
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