_{By Madeline Harris}

My music taste varies wildly through the year and is largely correlated with a) how energetic my days are, and b) where I am focusing my attention at a given time. In the heat of the summer, for example, the pace tends to pick up, everything feels just a bit more urgent, and I find myself in need of music that matches this intensity. Additionally, I spend a lot of time outside in the summer and have a profound gratitude and appreciation for the nature that makes this season in Utah so rich.

So essentially, my summer’s ideal soundtrack is something fiery and fervent and would receive bonus points for any themes pertaining to the natural world. Well, I struck gold with an EP that checks all these boxes and can honestly say that it accompanies me on those brutally hot, late-July days.

I was stoked to hear of Treeson’s debut release. Several months ago, I met vocalist Ashton Horrocks who shared with me some of his band’s demos. At the time, their online footprint consisted only of recordings from live gigs, but even so, their talent was downright striking. This three-piece grunge group is Utah’s own Alice In Chains/Nirvana fusion, colored with touches of environmental activism (their bio on all platforms: “For the trees, son!”).

Their debut EP, straightforwardly titled TREESON EP, is a formidable start to their discography. It’s well-composed, well-produced, and incredibly solid. Right away, “Wake Up,” in all its distorted glory, sets the tone for the project. The track’s robust sound builds upon itself as suspense begins to brew. Ashton’s vocals are raw and tastefully raspy, tapping into a Cobain-reminiscent fry. Jake Barnett’s hi-hat in this first number never settles and creates a sense of boiling anticipation and unrest. Lyrically, an unnerving urgency protrudes and forces the listener to pay attention. It beckons all to remember “the world that we once knew” and encourages reflection on the consequences of humankind’s actions.

“Sunshine” is next, with a gritty, grungy tune. John Mena on bass provides a thunderous, melodic growl that roots the song and acts as a landing pad for the vocals and guitar to come home to. For most of the song, we follow this swinging, sonic motif, and its potent force hits you like a truck. You’re in luck, though – the truck extends a friendly invitation to accept your fate, give in, and rock with Treeson. Once you’re on board, you can’t help but become absolutely immersed in their heavy, thick sound. “Sunshine” might be my favorite track on this EP. Its groove demonstrates their ability to add distorted, emotive noise to a curated melody, never overpowering or losing it as their main focus. 

The third track, “Idol,” is one I would love to see live. Its steady tempo and staccato instrumentals in the chorus generate an energy ideal for headbanging. The lyrics reflect on the complications that arise when confronting oneself and evolving as a human. It’s a testament to the growing pains inevitable in self-development and acknowledges face-to-face the messes we get ourselves into. 

The EP concludes with “With Me,” an anthem committed to challenging limiting beliefs. It presents a compelling argument for an alternative reality – one in which the burdens of war and disease cease to exist. By “breaking the chains” of preconceived notions and reconstructing one’s worldview, liberation and freedom are achievable. To me, this is conveyed in the intro’s percussion: the drums build in volume and desperation before exploding into a frenzy of cymbals about 50 seconds in. Ashton offers a fiery, guttural vocal performance that, in all truth, baffles me. The lyrics convincingly implore the listener to experience the “things you can see/ the air you can breathe” by rejecting the status quo, be it personal, social, political, etc.

I would say this song is a satisfying conclusion to the project, but I’m not yet sated! Treeson threw me for a loop with this EP; it is so refined, so powerful, and I want more. This project communicates a strong message and does so by being brash and brutally honest. Treeson exudes a vision and impedes on one’s peace of mind by acknowledging uncomfortable truths. This EP is food for thought, and I look forward to hearing more from the group. 

Stay updated by following Treeson on Instagram and check out “With Me” below!