Hello, Cold World! I have a new anthem for y’all! Pencildive, an NYC-based trio, drops their morbidly relatable EP “Watch the World”! Now, when I say that this is about to become your anthem, I am not kidding! This release is like a shock to your system with its oh-so-familiar sound of dynamic rock, distortions, and clever feedback loops that will plunge you into that September Gloomy Frenzy! Gina De Nardo, Zach Hirsch, and Ryan Hopper are here to give you one helluva deep dive!
Let’s not beat around the bush and get things straight. I LOVE this EP. This is my jam, and I consider Watch the World to be a part of my personal good stuff playlist. It is the right sound of calm and rage for me, which the whole release perfectly captured through their packed sound. It opens with a short track, “Eyes.” It starts off with an uplifting sound that soon builds up into a dynamic rock sound bearing a story of delusions about being loved by someone and waking up to the reality that, in fact, they’re not. It is a great track to introduce the whole vibe of the collection—grim, angsty, and, at the same time, real.
“Cover Your Ears” comes in giving off that Paramore-ish vibe. Now, this track is the one that I personally find really interesting. Sound-wise, it is great; there’s no denying that. But the way it was arranged? Clever! It is a satisfying production—brought by the calming-to-borderline hypnotic sound in its introduction and eventually giving in to despair and paranoia. This is giving me that vibe of someone trying to stop their loved ones from knowing and seeing them in those very low moments of their lives. Another track that fits this exact vibe is “Alone Anyway.” Right off the bat, this one is grit and female rage as the vocalist sings through agony over some shared love that failed. The alternating vibe that this song gives throughout the track, from calm to rage on repeat, shows the reality of how unstable a person can be whenever things go down. Again, clever!
The EP ends with its title track, “Watch the World.” Now, this one is theatrical! While listening to this song, I can vividly picture a lead slow-dancing with (maybe) loneliness. Anger? Death? Darkness himself? It is a perfect track—from every pluck of the strings, every note, the rage on the vocals—perfection. It’s like watching an intimate dance while knowing and seeing that the world around the characters is burning and falling apart. It intensifies as it goes on, which is again, perfection!
Ultimately, I’d like to consider Watch the World by Pencildive as some hidden gem that’s waiting to be discovered. I can’t deny—their themes are morbid—but then again, some realities are shrouded in darkness after all. So, why be scared? It is a well-written EP and production-wise, it is unique yet very cleverly put! This is a very enjoyable listen! This demands your full attention. So, follow Pencildive like I did! Save Watch the World on your playlist and give it a listen! You are in for a helluva ride!
Follow Pencildive
About the Author
Tine Quirino, also known as Kristine, is a writer (frustrated one), a dreamer (serial sleeper), an INFJ (also INTP/J), a (professional) fangirl, and a good listener (‘literally and figuratively,’ she states).
She is just here, lurking somewhere, enjoying all your music. Music of any kind is still music, after all.
