‘THE MESS WE SEEM TO MAKE’ | CRAWLERS RELEASE DEBUT ALBUM

A MESSY JOURNEY OF TRAUMA, MENTAL HEALTH AND ADDICTION | BY TALLULAH SHEPHEARD

Crawlers’ debut album The Mess We Seem To Make takes us on a messy journey of trauma, mental health and addiction. Using their distinct sound and Holly Minto’s extensive vocal range, many topics are explored throughout the record are issues many will relate to. From loneliness to dependence, the album consists of 12 songs featuring their distinctive sound whilst also experimenting with some ‘lullaby’ style songs.

The album begins with ‘Meaningless Sex‘ which begins with a unique sound, before building into a powerful chorus. It’s a story of accidentally catching feelings “can I stay for a little while, this isn’t meaningless sex, and I want to fall in love again”. This leads into ‘Kiss Me‘, a more upbeat song that brings into question whether someone can really love them “can you love me how you fuck me?”.

Distorted bass leads us to ‘Hit It Again‘, which has a darker atmosphere and builds up into a catchy beat with interesting guitar riffs. Holly uses her voice to build the choruses up and convey the emotions adding an extra layer to the lyrics. Lines such as“mornings never mornings, always mid-afternoons” and “didn’t think I’d live this long, didn’t think I had the fight, I don’t wanna wake up and feel the same thing” to “can you turn the lights out? so we can hit it again” portrays how drugs are often used to cope with and mask mental health issues. 

‘Better if I just pretend’ has a calmer sound combined with some rock elements. Telling the story of how it’s better to pretend for the sake of the other person when you lose yourself. 

The upbeat joyous sound of ‘Would You Come To My Funeral‘ contrasts with the dark lyrics.

“But would you come to my funeral, there’s a seat laid out for you, I couldn’t pass without telling you, that I miss you, that I don’t want to”. 

‘Golden Bridge’ is a softly sung lullaby over a sad piano tune. Holly has said that this song was written during the worst time of her life “it hurts to look back” and includes the things that make life worth living such as “the smiles of my own sister’s child” and “the chanting from all the crowds of people”. 

‘Come Over (Again)‘ is one of Crawlers’ most well known songs and has been re-released as part of the album as a more acoustic stripped back version. Crawlers’ have said that this song is open to interpretation however many fans think it’s about mourning that part of you that doesn’t exist anymore “Take her name out of your mouth, you don’t deserve to mourn”. 

‘Kills Me to Be Kind‘ conveys the story of how giving too much of yourself can start to kill you inside “you could give it all up and it won’t be enough”, the other person in the relationship giving everything up in return, won’t be enough for you to regain the part of you that died. 

‘What I Know is What I Love‘ shows how familiarity can cause you to stay in a toxic relationship. For example, lyrics such as “it feels so comfortable to feel that I know you so well, I just can’t help it what I know is what I love” and “if it’s love, why does it hurt so much?” are delivered with a powerful and emotional vocal.

‘End Up Alone’ is a personal favourite on the album. It uses clever imagery and an upbeat melody to tell the story, with Holly comparing herself to an apartment “I’m the other apartment loved and discarded”. My own interpretation of this song is that the other person in the relationship is interested in someone else or cheating. For example, “while you’re laying in a house that’s rented, and you know they aren’t paying a mortgage (totally invested)” and “I know you dream of another house, maybe LA, Toronto or Chicago”. The “I end up alone” slowly turns into the more optimistic “maybe I’m better off alone” during the course of the song. 

The album finishes off with ‘Call It Love‘ and ‘Night Time Affair‘ both of which are slower and softer songs with the latter containing a string arrangement which continues the storyline of losing yourself while being with someone. The tale of then having to rebuild yourself after being left a shell of who you were before is evident with the line

“Now I’d rather not have loved at all and all the pieces you took, didn’t survive the fall, I’ve loved and lived past you but I’m a shell from it all, rebuilding pieces with hands that don’t fit with mine like yours.”

Night Time Affair continues on the same story arc, bringing a hauntingly melodic conclusion to an this creative collection of songs. Allowing the strings to gradually creep up to a fading static, the final stillness marks a conclusion to a messy journey.

Marking a pivotal transition in their careers, Crawlers have delivered an outstanding debut album with ‘The Mess We Seem To Make’s which fans will most certainly devour.

Crawlers are currently on tour with Mother Mother but in collaboration with Banquet Records, they will headline London’s Pryzm on Thursday 22nd February. Pick up an exclusive ticket/album bundle HERE.

Buy or stream ‘The Mess We Seem To Make’ NOW

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