Abacot releases new EP Promo 2023 ahead of first live show on 7/14.
Origami Angel’s Ryland Heagy helped produce Abacot’s fantastic EP.
Based out of Northern Virginia, the Midwest emo group Abacot is releasing their first singles after frontman Claudio Benedi spent three years working on their sound. Previously fronting the band Commander Salamander, Benedi has spent much time working on Abacot’s sound after taking a brief pause from music.
The EP consists of three songs: “Check Engine Light”, “Vertigo”, and “Horror” – Benedi goes on to say “These three songs represent aspects of the worst three years of [his] life”. Inspired by the ups and downs that come with owning a car that’s 20+ years old – something I also can relate to! –the difficulties of trying to set healthy boundaries with narcissists, and experiencing painful anxiety attacks, Promo 2023 is a very moving piece of art.
Despite the heavy topics it covers and was inspired by, Promo 2023 still holds an optimistic undertone. “Check Engine Light” is really enjoyable for those that always want to turn a blind eye whenever we see that light come on in the car! Between the yelling of “check engine light ... take us where I want to go right now” and the melodious guitar throughout the track, it’s incredibly catchy and a great track to sing along to.
“Vertigo” is the next song on the EP, and it’s my personal favorite of the three songs. The line “actions speak louder than ‘I’m sorry’…” is certainly one that many will find relatable, and it rings true for so many different scenarios. There are many people who claim to be apologetic for any harm they’ve caused, but who absolutely don’t show it at all – and Abacot highlights this perfectly in “Vertigo”. Between “No more chances you gotta go” and “I’m glad you’re not around”, it is clearly a heavy piece, but it’s played in a way where you feel free and happy from getting away from this negativity and narcissism.
“Horror”, the closer on Promo 2023, is a perfect combination of feeling nostalgic while being anxious. The line “I’ll be safe if I stay inside / I was feeling kinda down driving around town thinking about old times” immediately jumped out to me, and highlights Benedi’s skills in lyricism.
“Horror”, the closer on Promo 2023, is a perfect combination of feeling nostalgic while being anxious.
The line “I’ll be safe if I stay inside / I was feeling kinda down driving around town thinking about old times” immediately jumped out to me, and highlights Benedi’s skills in lyricism.
Benedi also had this to say about his longtime friend Ryland Heagy (of Origami Angel):
I write and structure all my songs on guitar first. I brought these 3 to Ryland early this year who helped me flesh them out in demo form and then in finalized recordings. He played a massive support role in creating these songs every step of the way.
You can certainly hear some of the Gami influences within the EP, but Abacot truly made this their own and created catchy songs with their take on the ever-so-popular Midwestern emo genre. Don’t miss their show with Origami Angel on July 14th at DC9 – it’ll be a night to remember!