Album Review: Northvale- ‘Where We Go When There’s Nothing Left’
Following years of honing its craft through EPs and singles, New Jersey’s Northvale adds to the canon of iconic, pop-punk albums with its Where We Go When There’s Nothing Left. The band’s debut excels by plucking pieces from past iconic works as Northvale modernizes the heartfelt sounds of The Starting Line, Valencia, Real Friends; some of pop-punk’s most introspective bands.
Northvale describes the album as “about navigating the darkest parts of life and finding the strength to push forward. It’s raw, emotional, and deeply personal, but at the same time, we hope it resonates universally. Each song is a piece of us, and we’re so proud of how it all came together.”
The album oscillates between styles and emotions. Where We Go When There’s Nothing Left opens with a blitzkrieg of a track titled “For The Moment,” highlighting the soaring vocals of Keith Carroll and the breakneck musicianship of his bandmates. In a similar vein, “Hang In There, Kid” is a gritty anthem with an explosive finish fit for stadium. And “Chica Go Bills” is just perfection.
More than any other band, Northvale is cut from the same cloth as the iconic The Dangerous Summer. So it’s only fitting the two pair up for the popular “Already Dead.” Rising stars glimmers join in on the tune “What If you Fly?” And rounding out the collaborations, palettes provides a huge plus to the album with its soaring “Better, When I Can.”
“Dives into the internal battles of self-improvement and addiction to destructive habits,” the band says of the song. “‘Hang In There, Kid’ is a message of solidarity and support, tackling suicide awareness with a reminder that no one is ever truly alone.”
The album is heavy in its words, but light in its melodies. The juxtaposition of soul-gripping lyrics and guitar swinging, crowd bouncing vibes is a complex art form tough to perfect. Sure, bands have done it. Maybe they connect with a couple of choruses or even a full song; it’s an accomplishment admirable in itself. But Northvale hits with every tune, each prying at a different emotion or experience.
Apart from the album’s artistry, the production is knife-point sharp. Every lever pulled at the perfect time. And there is nothing out of place. Northvale is wonderful flag bearer of all that is good from the scene they, and we love.
Where We Go When There’s Nothing Left is available on all streaming platforms. Keep a close eye on one of the most polished and relatable acts stateside.