Turnstile band members left to right: Pat McCrory (Guitar), Franz Lyons (Bass), Brendan Yates (Voice … More
The biggest band in hardcore has returned with their most ambitious album to date, NEVER ENOUGH. With the unprecedented success that Turnstile has seen with their 2021 LP, GLOW ON, the band’s follow up album was destined to be one of the most anticipated albums in modern rock. That being said, NEVER ENOUGH is clearly not a departure from the elements that made GLOW ON resonate with so many listeners, particularly those that were unacquainted with the hardcore genre. In fact, it’s safe to say that Turnstile has leaned even more into the melodic, dare to say, ‘pop’ ingredients that they previously experimented with on GLOW ON.
NEVER ENOUGH is filled with glimmering synths, dreamy vocal hooks, and glittery guitar riffs, all while having enough bouncy breakdown moments to keep the band’s new vibe feeling at least hardcore-adjecent. Turnstile certainly didn’t want to write another meat and potatoes hardcore album with NEVER ENOUGH, and that was also clear with GLOW ON. It’s commendable that Turnstile continue to evolve their sound and write satisfyingly catchy songs while doing so. And while their new sound might not cater to the average hardcore listener in the same way that 2018’s Time & Space or 2016’s Nonstop Feeling did, Turnstile still manage to bring the spirit and energy of the hardcore genre through their more adaptable songwriting.
Largely, NEVER ENOUGH delivers on the band’s knack for keeping things simple yet engaging. Take the opening title track as an example. The warm synths combined with vocalist Brendan Yates melancholic shouts somehow make for one of the most alluring choruses the band has ever written. It’s such a simple track, possibly even too simple at times, but Turnstile are just so effective at making it compelling. And the same is true for a vast majority of the 14 tracks on NEVER ENOUGH.
A number of these tracks showcase the band’s newfound pop sensibility in a spectacular fashion.“I CARE” and “SEEIN’ STARS” are possibly the biggest departure from the band’s punk and hardcore roots, but they’re some of the best songs on the album. There is an 80’s pop vibe that’s present throughout “I CARE” that sounds almost reminiscent to a-ha’s “Take on Me,” but also uniquely different with its explosive chorus. “SEEIN’ STARS” is also another huge moment for Turnstile, one which showcases their affinity for more alternative indie-rock songwriting. It’s a very Tame-Impala coated track but with noticeably more frenetic movement, which comes from that omnipresent hardcore-punk spirit Turnstile have on this album.
As far as the more straightforward rock and uptempo punk tracks go, specifically songs “BIRDS,” “DULL,” and “SLOWDIVE,” Turnstile don’t miss the mark. If anything there’s a bit more to be desired from these heavier tracks, whether it’s in the riffs themselves or in the bouncy breakdown hardcore-like moments. Maybe it’s the fact that Turnstile aren’t exactly pushing to be just another hardcore band with this record, but many of these punk/hardcore leaning songs just feel as if the band is underselling their capabilities. The hardcore-punk moments on NEVER ENOUGH never quite match GLOW ON with tracks like “HOLIDAY,” “DON’T PLAY,” or “T.L.C,” even if there still are a number of great mosh-worthy moments on NEVER ENOUGH.
However, NEVER ENOUGH ultimately succeeds in pushing for something sonically adventurous and more inspired than any of the band’s previous work. While it might not be the band’s most cohesive album, NEVER ENOUGH is another satisfying release from Turnstile that’s well worth a thorough listen, regardless of whether you’re a deeply rooted hardcore fan or if you discovered the band during their GLOW ON era. The biggest achievement of NEVER ENOUGH is that it proves Turnstile are still capable of amalgamating the spirit and energy of the hardcore genre with other interesting musical ideas and influences, even if it’s not the strongest or hard-hitting release in their discography.
