Chiefland – ‘Sentiment Valley’ review

Album review

8 Nov

Following on from last year’s breakout single “Know That I’m Alive”, German alternative group Chiefland continue to blend emo, alt, and post-hardcore sounds on Sentiment Valley. The EP is a solid entry with lyrics bemoaning all the negative feelings and experiences in life alongside a strong, refined sound that wouldn’t sound out of place alongside emo classics from around the world.

That international sound is no accident. The record was produced by Alan Day (founding member of American pop-punk group Four Year Strong) and features artists from the US and Europe. Chiefland is wearing their influences on their sleeve and you’d never guess they weren’t native English speakers. Every aspect of Sentiment Valley nails the vibes of a Western emo release.

‘Blame’ is the opener, brimming with energy but keeping a steady pace. It’s more for head-banging than dancing or getting a mosh pit going. Vocalist Christopher Hiller says the song is about “What's it like to always be the person who has to take the blows? That one person who always gets hit really hard?” That comes across in Hiller's singing. He gives off anger and regret with a lower energy than the heavy bass lines and full-on chorus surrounding it.

‘Gravity’ is an outlier compared to the other tracks. Likely owing to Day’s influence, the track is more of a late 90s-style pop-punk tune. Genre tropes like bouncy drums and power chords are frequent. I quite like that formula and it’s done well, but it is somewhat formulaic. There is a robust rhythm here though, evoking the song’s theme of people who may not be the best for you but you can’t pull yourself away.

The start of ‘Cannibal’ is the sort of track perfect for driving at night, with moody, distorted guitars alongside Hiller’s introspective lyrics. Then the choruses are these big outbursts that almost seem repressed in the verses. It’s very much a song of two distinct moods, both of which sound good, but I wonder if they would be better served as full songs, separate from each other.

The final track, ‘Silent Decay’, is an anthem of apathy. It’s all about how the world grinds people down until they feel nothing, whether good or bad. This is punctuated by bombastic drums accompanying long, droning guitar melodies and bass lines. The song’s back half features Jay Kucera of Skywalker, a Czech hardcore group. His voice is this screaming eruption that feels like catharsis, letting all the built-up emotions felt through the EP finally emerge.

Sentiment Valley is a strong EP that shines with moments of genuine brilliance. At times though it feels somewhat constrained by its commitment to emo conventions, Chiefland skillfully captures the genre's essence, delivering an impressive and heartfelt collection that hints at even greater potential. By venturing into more diverse stylistic influences, the band could unlock new heights, much like other standout emo releases that have expanded beyond the expected.

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