Invincible
This review was originally written for Music Scene Media.
This July, metalcore musician Lo released his second EP of 2022, Invincible. Throughout Invincible, Lo sticks with the signature tone and sound structure we heard in Heavy Hearts, but this album is more personal. The album opens with the heavy distortion of “Dead to Me,” a track where Lo laments over feeling abandoned. Instead of sticking with clean and harsh vocals, lo actually utilizes a low monotone growl during the verses to describe his situation. It’s a clever creative choice and brings a different layer to the track. Instrumentally, he relies on blending driving drum and bass lines with electronic beats. The pain in “Dead to Me” gives way to “Flock Together,” where Lo seems to have come to terms with the abandonment. Although its unclear if he is discussing the same situation in both tracks, “Flock Together” is focused on appreciating the good times and striving to make the other person proud. The vocals are much more distorted, and the electronic beats are not nearly as prevalent. However, the driving and grooving instrumental lines smoothly tie “Flock Together” to “Dead to Me.” The first third of the album is concluded with “Hidden Professional,” a more assertive and passionate track with cutting, harsh vocals underscoring Lo’s message. He has been been betrayed by someone close to him, but Lo assures that he doesn’t need that draining energy; he will survive on his own. These three tracks show vulnerability, even in their anger. They set up the rest of Invincible to continue on with themes of personal growth and determination.
The middle third of the album is less cohesive than the first, and instead contains three entirely unique tracks. A haunting piano line immediately changes the album’s tone in the song, “Impossible.” It almost sounds like the Halloween theme, which is both unsettling and intriguing. Even as the guitars drop in and out, the piano line remains unbroken, breaking up the intensity. In “Impossible” Lo laments walking away from a potential relationship, but his pride keeps him from reconciling. The drastic changing between the piano and guitar sections convey the back and forth between his regret and his frustration. He is admitting to his own shortcomings here, and it’s emotional and raw. The following track, “Culture Shock,” changes course from discussing Lo’s interpersonal relationships. Instead, he’s exploring society’s standards and how it results in toxic cycles. The blistering lyrics about judgement, grudges and lies are accompanied by swirling guitar and strong punk undertones. He’s trying to make sense of it all, and debates if he can even find a “happy ending” in society or if he is destined to be a prisoner of the system. “Deathgripped” finishes this section of the album, bringing heavy electronic beats and clear hip hop influences. The haunting piano has returned but remains in the background. Lo straddles between “clean” and “harsh” in this song, instead featuring very gravelly vocal tones. The message in “Deathgripped” is hopeful, and Lo sings about his successes and triumphs. The middle of Invincible is Lo’s chance to show off some of his victories. He’s no longer letting the opinions of others get to him, giving way to more intensity in the third part of the album.
Now in the final section of the album, the listener is greeted with more aggression. After shedding all of that doubt in the previous three songs, Lo’s able to assert himself more with the most traditionally “metal” tracks. The first one, “Invincible,” is all about focus and determination. Lo shouts “I’m invincible and I’m ok” throughout the chorus and assures that we can all chase our dreams. We have to put all the doubt in the past, and just do what’s necessary to get ahead. The guitar is absolutely shredding, adding to the intensity of his message. He moves on to “Victim,” a song about jealousy and a victim complex. This track heavily features a double bass drum and unrelenting guitar, and harsher vocals than any of the ones that came before it. Lo closes out the album with his single “Fading,” which you can read about here. Invincible is a great display of Lo’s growth as a musician and as a person over the past year. He has learned to use his voice to stand up for himself and get his message across. When I reviewed Heavy Hearts a few months back, I openly admitted that was new to the metalcore scene, and thanks to Lo’s music I have learned a lot, and will definitely keep coming back.
