Labels: Ds//fp records/Ephyra Recordings/Home To Heart/Self Versed Records/Zegema Beach Records
Formats: Vinyl/CDr/Tape/Digital
Release Date: 29 Nov 2023
Tracklist:
1. Stutter
2. ...and You Already Forgot
3. Hard To Get By
4. Speak Your Mind
5. I Can't See Through The Mirror
So there's a whole wave of bands coming through, being championed by labels that include Silverback Gorilla Records, Wax Vessel, ds//fp, Zegema Beach Records and a whole bunch I'm forgetting. The latter two have both had a hand in releasing After The Flatline by Texan emocore band Sinema. Following it's initial digital release in late 2023 via Ephyra Recordings, a 2024 tape pressing followed via Self Versed Records (alongside a repress earlier this year), as well as a super limited CDr release via both Ds//fp records and Home To Heart.
ZBR has now swooped in with a vinyl pressing of the band's debut EP, which is crazy considering Sinema's members are still in school but then again not that surprising given that they recently appeared at ZBR Fest in Chicago. If you're struggling to keep up with the amount of stellar releases in 2025 so far, look away now.
Self-control is both a wonderful thing but also a brutal mistress. As I alluded to above, there are so many incredible bodies of music being released this year that it’s hard to keep up with and hard to resist hitting that order button on. I know because last month I received twelve releases I had ordered and I’m still awaiting another twelve. Enough of the trumpet blowing though and on with the show. Hearing Sinema for the first time takes me right back to first hearing bands like Underoath, Funeral For A Friend and Silverstein on opener ‘Stutter’.
It’s so full of energy and emotion. Music filled with both introspection and belligerent heaviness, while nostalgic clean singing rubs shoulders with piercing post-hardcore/emo-violence screams. ‘… and You Already Forgot’ features beautifully played guitar, that’s sensitive to Sinema’s calm approach before they switch things up again. It really feels like we’re going full-circle and though I might be rocking up late to the party, it’s welcomed.
I was so mesmerised by what I was hearing that I didn’t even realise it had progressed into ‘Hard To Get By’. Sinema’s flair for art/math-rock additions alongside their already amazing post-hardcore is hard to ignore in truth. Sometimes, we all need to just take some time away from reality, to unload and even compartmentalise what’s going on around us. This song and this realise helps us do that.
‘Speak Your Mind’ is a reminder that freedom of expression is vital and needed. I’ve not always been the best at speaking mine when it counts, but I’m getting older and bolder now. That may or may not have anything to do with this actual song though, which is filled with a mix of genuine rage and heart-on-the-sleeve honesty. Closing with ‘I Can’t See Through The Mirror’, Sinema push forth their most urgent and honest performance on this EP. Everything before was just as heartfelt but the shorter song length gives it a bit more of an edge.
Before hitting play on this, I was thinking it was going more abrasive and instant. Don’t know why I thought that. Sinema has shown that the emocore era isn’t dead and is in fact growing new roots with new bands. This is nothing short of excellent. Please don’t assume, just listen.
You can stream and download the EP via ZBR below:-
digital and physical copies are available from the links below:-
Ephyra Recordings - https://4ephyra.bandcamp.com/album/4e022-after-the-flatline
Home To Heart - https://www.hometoheartrecords.com/product/sinema-after-the-flatline-cd
Ds//fp records - https://www.facebook.com/dsfprecords
Ephyra Recordings Instagram - @4ephyra
Home To Heart Instagram - @hometoheartrecords
Self Versed Records Instagram - @self_versed_records
Zegema Beach Records - https://bsky.app/profile/zegemabeachrecords.bsky.social
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