Album Review: Emery - 'We Do What We Want'

In their first release after the loss of their linchpin member, Devin Shelton, who announced his indefinite hiatus at the beginning of the year, it seems Emery wanted to get something off of their chests. 'In Shallow Seas We Sail' was terrific; it was tender, it was melodic. With Emery said to be releasing an acoustic record this year, I honestly expected another helping of the same, but instead ‘We Do What We Want’ is a harsh mistress; an in-your-face shakedown.

With Shelton taking some time away from the band, the weight of the world fell on the shoulders of Toby Morrell to front the group vocally and lyrically. He has used this opportunity as a vessel to touch on faith, a theme that is prevalent on ‘We Do What We Want’. Tracks like “You Wanted It” and “Fix Me”, in particular, focus on the notion – but it isn’t a glaring announcement of faith, Morrell delivers a very personal, subtle effort that, more often than not, questions a God than praises one.

For a majority of the time, this record is heavy as.

You only need listen to “The Cheval Glass” for four seconds to fully comprehend that Emery are in town, and mean business. The song screams brutality; any short-lived tender moments are bookended by gallop chugs, or harsh noisy choruses complete with cracking snare that call to mind a group like The Devil Wears Prada or A Day to Remember. The balls to the wall stylings of “The Cheval Glass” is supported beautifully with the likes of “Scissors” and “The Anchors” who maintain the heavier feel Emery have gone for.

The second half of “The Anchors” is probably one of my favourite portions of the entire record, as it blends the bolder tones of chug-happy Emery with a dose of melody that harmonize with each other so well.

These tender moments aren’t fleeting on ‘We Do What We Want’, despite the record being undoubtedly heavier than recent efforts. It’d be foolish of the blokes in Emery to omit any of the rich, melodious moments that have made them a staple for most post-hardcore listeners’ libraries. This record was certainly top heavy, getting progressively mellower as it approached the close. Fans hoping for any kind of taste of what to expect from the forthcoming, presently untitled, acoustic record will be pleased with “I Never Got To See The West Coast”. It’s simplistic, and really calls Morrell to the frontline, and he doesn’t fail in providing a fitting soft, sobering track to help close what is otherwise a very ballsy, welcome record.

‘We Do What We Want’, I think, has a little something for all Emery fans. It lit a fire in my belly from the very beginning, and by the time of close, it began to flicker as the record took a mellow turn; perhaps a forerunner to their acoustic record this year. Where the anger came from, and its source, is beyond me; though I’m not opposed to it, as Emery have produced a raw and personal record that is a far cry from what I expected. Devin who? No, I kid. Don't stay away too long.

1. The Cheval Glass
2. Scissors
3. The Anchors
4. The Curse of Perfect Days
5. You Wanted It
6. I'm Not Here For Rage, I'm Here For Revenge
7. Daddy's Little Peach
8. Addicted to Bad Decisions
9. I Never Got to See The West Coast
10. Fix Me