Although 2024’s been over for like a half century at this point, one of its shortest and punchiest releases still has me by the throat, forcing me to spin kick all alone in my apartment. I am of course referring to Columbus, Ohio post-hardcore band starling’s debut EP Global Arbor. Following two unrelated singles earlier in 2024, this four song EP clocks in at just over 11 minutes but packs the short time full of creative guitar riffs, hardcore fury, and masterfully dynamic drumming. The opening track “permanence” shows off the band’s more melodic side without sacrificing the moshability of its bouncy chorus riff. Meanwhile, “the forest” introduces heavier riffs and a more menacing sound. While mostly heavy and energetic, starling show restraint in their songwriting, saving their heaviest drum fills and riffs for key moments in the album, like the blast beat bits in the second half of the final track “gettinguptogetadrinkofwater”. The only low point in the album would be the slower, quieter first half of “colors only birds can see”, although this break from the noise likely helps the EP as a whole and soon caves into the chaos of the rest of the album anyway. Overall, Global Arbor is a carefully crafted EP of all killer, no filler, and some truly absurd drums.
You can hear albums like Global Arbor on Gorilla Radio, every Monday from 6-7 PM EST on U92 The Moose.