Balsam Grove

Balsam Grove – “You’re Safe Here”

Contributed by Kyle Scott

“You’re Safe Here” by Balsam Grove released in January 2024 is a prime example of the pinnacle of innovation led by modern progressive post-hardcore bands. The band is led by Larry Lee Hansen, longtime active member, and supporter of the Alaskan music scene, now based out of Seattle, Washington. The twists and turns of multiple genres and styles are done tastefully here yet leading you to wonder what might unexpectedly happen next.

The album immediately takes you on a curious path, beginning with the building tension of an instrumental piano piece, before exploding into a duo of fierce metalcore tracks reminiscent of the nostalgia of mid 2000’s bands like Under oath or A Skylit Drive. “Brace Yourself!” takes on the task of a hard-hitting opener, ensuring that the music has your full attention led by intense screams and crushing guitars. “Break Away!” skillfully and seamlessly transitions back and forth between memorable hooks and wild breakdowns, while keeping up the energy throughout the entire song. After an exploding and exciting outro, the album switches up the mood a bit showing the great diversity that it offers. “Nostalgia” and “The Knot” both explore mathy post-rock sections, while throwing in progressive rock and metal influences that might remind you of Protest the Hero, or Coheed, and Cambria.

A brief intermission allows the album to breathe and give you a moment before bringing you into “Sleep Paralysis” which stands as an important centerpiece of the record and everything it emphasizes. This song has some of the most catchy and memorable moments on the album and will be sure to be one that you will put on repeat. “Driftwood” is another track that stands out as a unique moment on the album, with the first half bringing in a psychedelic ambient tone with digital percussion and a unique song structure, bringing you into a climatic bridge before taking the energy back down and leading you into the mood of the next song. “The Sad One” lives up to its name bringing you into an emotional post-rock piece with Circa Survive vibes and hard-hitting lyrics, before once again skillfully inserting a metalcore breakdown for maximum impact.

At this point you may be wondering, where will this go next? This album doesn’t disappoint, as it ends with two epic and high energy tracks before going into an outro. Here you can feel the mood of the album shift and go from despair and darkness to a feeling of aspiration and healing. “Cause and Effect” picks the pace back up and keeps things moving with a very solid jubilant tone, bringing you into the uplifting mood of “Windowpane” which does an amazing job as an epic finale. The song brings a sense of finality and closure to the story of the album, and a glimmer of hope, then emphasized by the “Windwaker (Reprise)” which really brings the entire album together full circle.

The theme of the album is truly meaningful as it can be very relatable to those who experience depression and anxiety, and those who have a hard time finding motivation and meaning. It tells a story that many experience as they go through cycles of feeling down, untrue to themselves as they are expected to change for other people, but then finding a new light and spark. This album is sure to be enjoyed by those who grew up with the emo, hardcore and metal scene, as it takes the nostalgic parts of that music but brings it forward with a modern tone that successfully keeps the genre exciting and fresh!