Music as a form of emotional outlet is something that we all can relate to, but sharing your crafts in the industry could literally be so daunting. After so many years of staying inside their own bubbles, the band Weak Trees is now ready to share their story and music for the world to hear through their debut album “Unsuffering.” Released on January 17th, 2025, this 10-track album is not just a simple collection of songs from the band but acts as a diary of sorts – a compilation of the weirdness brought by life and some precious and unspoken moments captured and recorded through sound. This album is something that you would want to connect to as it is full of authentic sound, honest messages, gritty energy, grungy blues, and alternative vibe that you just need.
The whole collection opens with the title track, “Unsuffering,” where a good combination of rhythms and strums from acoustic and electric guitar will serve as a welcome to your earbuds. The lingering subtle twangs that it carries have influences brought by classic and alternative, yet as you go on, the song turns into a much more open and ambiguous sound. This song also holds strong themes of rebellion, along with a message of acceptance as well as denial. The questions were all left unanswered, “Is unsuffering just a concept”? these types of thoughts will leave you hooked in this song, and as it goes on, the tension between peace and conflict just builds up and explodes.
“Uneven Ground” sneaks in with its slow and familiar tempo. This track opens with a familiar guitar feedback effect, which is then followed by the friendly yet dark rock rhythm that is constant throughout the collection. This song has a repetitive rhythm, which makes it an easy listen and very memorable, especially since it tackles a very familiar reflection on how living an adult life is always a struggle and how sometimes the loss of our childish innocence can lead us to yearn meaningful and strong connection with people around us. This song is deep and most definitely relatable as it captures that familiar feeling of being trapped while wandering aimlessly to look for your own purpose.
“Strange Bird,” on the other hand, gives off a clear cinematic quality to the whole collection because of its eerie and dark instrumentation. This song honestly has that thrill factor wherein a sense of unease will be felt as you go along and listen to the track (Well if you’re a scaredy-cat like me). But it’s nothing short of great, and with the clear and impressive vocal delivery of the singer, the whole dark and eerie vibe is heightened, which perfectly fits the theme that it carries. This song tackles the strong rebellious feeling of being “different,” the borderline of being strange in the eyes of other people, and the inner conflict that somebody feels. This is a strong track that would make you reflect on your struggles to conform, delivered through a song full of urgency that is honestly compelling and unique.
Now, with my personal favorites: “Red Door” is a stand-out track because of how the song carries a personal and resonating vibe brought by its nostalgic yet melancholic instrumentation. While this song has a significant build-up that explodes as it reaches its peak, the weight that this piece carries is undeniable. Betrayal, innocence, and the search for a peaceful haven for escape and protection are strong themes reflected in this track, giving it a haunting quality and a strong message that lingers after finishing the track. Other notable tracks featured on this album that carry excellent quality sound and messages are “Antipaste,” “Desolation,” “Common Sense,” “Blackwoods,” and “Cacao Emperor,” so be sure to give it your time and full attention. Weak Trees does not disappoint with its music.
Finally, the track “Burning World” closes the whole collection by bringing all the tracks together and giving the sense that it seals everything in a full circle. With the soothing and friendly mix of guitar and slow beats of the drum, this song provides the idea of an end as it uses the themes from all the featured songs on this collection as its foundation to tell a message of a world that is in chaos, literally and figuratively. It is an excellent ending for the collection that reminds the listener that every action has its own consequences, be it good or bad, so be sure to be careful with your choices.
“Unsuffering” is an album that has a lot of layers for listeners to enjoy. It is a collection that greatly balances complexity because of the emotional weight that it carries and simplicity because of the way the song is told in a simple, lyrical manner. It is a rewarding listen that invites you to repeat the whole listening experience because every listen gives you a different perspective and understanding of the story and messages that they want to relay. It is an excellent step for Weak Trees to expand its audience. Their music carries both relatable stories of challenges and comfort through those realities in the form of a song. This release shows that we can expect more from this band with their honest and intense musicality.
So, be sure to give Weak Trees a follow on their social media accounts. And don’t forget to listen to their album. Stream “Unsuffering” by Weak Trees now! It demands your full attention.
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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.
