Pennsylvanian four-piece Title Fight spent around twice as long working on their third studio album ‘Hyperview’ as they did on predecessor, ‘Floral Green’. It is therefore not much of a surprise that ‘Hyperview’ is a substantial jump from anything the band have released before, continuing an evolution that bore its head on older material such as ‘Head In A Ceiling Fan’. The last three years have seen Title Fight evolve into something almost unrecognisable – something delicate, considered and at times haunting.
Those yearning for the aggression of the initial Title Fight collection, ‘The Last Thing You Forget’, won’t be making friends with ‘Hyperview’ any time soon. Those days are almost completely gone. The occasional hint at something heavier may raise an eyebrow or two – see ‘Chlorine’ or ‘Hypernight’ – but there is little left to please diehard traditionalists.
Title Fight have instead followed suit with a wealth of new wave punk bands, and amped up the reverb. There is now an abundance of shoegaze flowing in their veins, as opposed to the unreserved force that used to be unleashed on stage. 90s influences run thick and heavy. In addition to the evident shoegaze, the heavier material pushes closer to grunge than it does to their earlier output. Lead single ‘Chlorine’ remains the meatiest track on ‘Hyperview’.
Title Fight delve into a 90s influenced ethereal pool, bobbing alongside fellow punk-goes-experimental outfits Seahaven, Pianos Becoming The Teeth and a whole host of other bands. Yet to judge ‘Hyperview’ against what has come before is lazy. It is largely irrelevant that Title Fight aren’t the flag bearers in the new wave experimental movement (if that even exists). It is equally irrelevant that Title Fight used to be punk (that term means so many things to so many different people). What is relevant is that Title Fight have created a genuine album – the result of years of consideration, a lack of label pressure and a drive to create the music they intended to create.
Jamie Rhoden’s vocals take a new tact. Gone are the screams and shouts, replaced by a mesmerising wail that is soaked into the outstretched soundscapes, rather than overpowering them. Any crescendos are few and far between, drawing the listener into the expanse of the music rather than forcefully pulling them in. ‘Hyperview’ is immersive, relaxed and sombre – far removed from ‘Floral Green’ or ‘Shed’.
The record will unquestionably change Title Fight’s fanbase. Some will follow them down their new path, and others will turn back. Either way, ‘Hyperview’ demonstrates the delicacies and beauty that, until now, had not been given a platform. It might not go changing musical history, but it sure does bring Title Fight into a fascinating new world.
BEN TIPPLE