New England's Love Letter — formerly known as Death Of A Nation and featuring Andrew Reitz (drums); Matthew Spence (guitar); Dave Alcan (bass); Quinn Murphy (vocals), and Jay Maas (guitars, backing vocals) — are pleased to announce their debut album Everyone Wants Something Beautiful. The album arrives on June 28 via Iodine Recordings. Pre-order it here.
Murphy was formerly of Verse, while Mass and Reitz were founding members of Defeater. Maas has also enjoyed an established career as a producer, and has worked with acts like Bane, Title Fight, Counterparts, and more.
Today, the band has shared the new single "Misanthropic Holiday or Vacation." Listen here.
The track sounds like both a warning and indictment, exploring ways we are expected to deal with the human condition in modern society. It seems to blur the lines of perseverance and begrudged surrender, crescendoing into a cathartic release that makes one feel both possessed and furious. It's hard to stay sitting by the the time the final notes fade out.
"'Misanthropic Holiday or Vacation' is about the confusing and (at times) humiliating experiences I've had navigating my mental health," shares Murphy about the songs powerful and intimately relatable subject matter.. "Specifically, the quest for the right diagnosis(es) and proper medication/therapist with limited resources/understanding of the mental health care system when you have little to no income. Realizing the collateral damage and emotional pain I've caused others from ignoring my own trauma for years weighed heavily and still does."
They continue, "I have countless regrets and wake up everyday with a wave of shame washing over me, something that I still feel like I deserve regardless of how much work I've put in or how many times I'm told the goal is to let it go and love myself. I feel for anyone who grew up in an abusive, poverty-stricken environment that has had to face themselves, their trauma, and the trauma that typically gets regifted and passed onto others. At times it seems impossible to escape and statistically it is for a lot of folks."
ABOUT LOVE LETTER:
New England has always served as a breeding ground for some of the most passionate and heartfelt voices in hardcore. Featuring members of Verse and Defeater, Love Letter are the latest powerhouse to join this esteemed lineage.
Everyone Wants Something Beautiful is an open window into insecurity and self-awareness. It is a deep-dive into generational trauma, its different forms, and the ways it can be projected onto others. We share a commitment to crafting music that is honest and powerful, and that reflects our friendships, views, and shared musical journey over two decades. We believe every note and word must carry meaning and purpose. The musical vision for this record was to create a compelling backdrop for captivating and emotional storytelling. It’s honest, mature, and carries deep personal meaning for each member.
Guitarist Jay Maas (Defeater) has also produced countless records for other bands at Getaway Recordings in Massachusetts, including Bane, Counterparts, Title Fight, and more. After being behind the scenes on so many quintessential records, Maas is back at the helm. "Having produced records for two decades now, I've had the chance to work with thousands of artists, I'm grateful that this was my opportunity to pull together some of my favorite people who also happen to be extremely talented musicians."
Maas tapped fellow founding member of Defeater — Andrew Reitz — to play drums along with guitarist Matthew Spence and fellow engineer and bassist Dave Alcan. The result is high-octane instrumentation paired with the poignant yet biting lyrics and vocals of Quinn Murphy (of Verse).
There's a notable freedom in the band’s songwriting, and their desire to push the limits of where heartfelt, emotive and heavy music can go is apparent with every note and word. Matched by a charged live show, Love Letter are sure to turn heads of fans of hardcore, post-hardcore, screamo, and beyond. Everyone Wants Something Beautiful is available for pre-order now.