Turncoat Syndicate’s “Lost Weekend” is a rollercoaster in immediate descent: fast and loud. They don’t just expect us to be jumping — they want us to scream. Based in Norfolk Virginia, this alt-rock band’s comeback is a perfect blend of dynamic energy between Forlines’ gritty vocals, Clarke’s confident sonic guitar, Maurer’s ominous heavy bass, and Talley’s wicked precise drums fuse into a delicious blend of muscle rock and acoustic ecstasy. This 10-track coaster accelerates straight into overdrive.
“Charmed” is an electrifying opener that perfectly encapsulates the band’s signature killer sound paired with components of vulnerability. From the driven staccato guitar leading into an overdriven tone, the song trembles with overconfidence that is loud, dreamy, and captivating. Key standouts are the clean-pick guitar riffs and distorted chords unraveling the deeper themes in the lyrics representing the weight of daily life and its pressures. “Sorry it’s a mess sometimes / I guess it’s just a stressful time / excuses make the day go by.” The melody enters a diminished key in the second part of the chorus, capturing the chaos and overwhelming nature of life: “sometimes they raise the world / sometimes they break the sky / maybe when nothing remains/ then they might realize / nothing remains.” There is a moment of mellow bliss in the bridge, a soft-soothing daydream, as though the listener is entranced into a state of losing consciousness and then being ripped back into the loud reality as the chorus revs again. In a surprising melodic subversion, the song interludes with a pleasant rhythm, introducing the organ, and it entices listeners to come into the warm waters and discover more.
“Angels and Devils” sets a heavy tone and feels like the heart of the album, its apprehensive melody illustrates a haunting waltz of madness. From the foreboding lyrics to the diminished instrumentals, this song blends the best of each member: Clarke’s razor-wire guitar, Maurer’s heavy bass, Talley’s taunting drums, Forlines’ gritty and melodic vocals that drag listeners towards the edge of madness. The motif in the lines “we don’t trust you” and “you shouldn’t trust us” showcases the emotional pain in the battle between good and evil. There is commentary on the dark impulses of human nature and the frightening capability in every individual, probing the question: what’s holding us back? “Do you ever fantasize / things that you should never try / it’s such a strange life.” And the chorus wraps up with this emotional pull, “Cause there’s angels and devils amongst us / you shouldn’t trust us.” The consistent period of slow waltzing abruptly ends at the bridge where the tempo jumps with an unexpected jolt of energy, while still feeding the starved desperation.
“Outside World” is one of the more vulnerable tracks. With celestial imagery of love, desires, and grief, the song spills an overwhelming sorrow with the lyrics “That’s what it is / what we’ve become,” a raw honesty demonstrating a quality of blues. The blues blended with the band’s high-energy rock creates musical chemistry between the introspective lyrics and powerful sound. There’s an existential dread at the end with the ominous bass remaining and Forlines repeating “outside” until it fades out, like being left out of the world.
“Sweet Ecstasy” as its title suggests is a sweet ride, contrasting the previous hard-hitting songs while still maintaining the edge. The song offers a fun country-rock vibe that feels like an ecstatic dance. “So lay with me in ecstasy / I love the way you stain my dreams,” feels romantic and extremely intimate, reminding listeners the importance of love amidst a chaotic life. “Past Mistakes” follows like a deep nostalgia carrying the emotional weight of reminiscent better days. It offers a reflection on memories and mistakes that allow for a chance to start over and mature. It is as though the band is looking back at their roots and how far they’ve come from the beginning. Both tracks are a much-needed softness in between the thundering noise.
“Feathers” is a fitting send-off where the weekend that began lost is now found. With a funky edge to the sound, the band re-enters its wave of guitar riffs and loudness. However, there is a delicate touch that perfectly encapsulates their dynamic instrumentation and continually evolving sound. This song feels like a powerful push forward away from the past mistakes and nostalgia and flies free. The powerful build up with Forlines screaming “Spread your feathers” feels urgent yet motivating to fly towards what we want in life and become the best version of ourselves, before the song abruptly ends with a soft acoustic that fades into the background, concluding the lost weekend getaway
What an exciting and thrilling comeback that screams “we are back for more.” Their prowess deserves the utmost praise for their pivotal musical growth and raw passion. What the band offers in little quantity is honing years into crafting the utmost quality for their fans and community. In February, Turncoat Syndicate were crowned Alternative Rock Band of the Year by Veer Magazine, a highly deserved recognition for the killer tracks their new album presented in all its glory.
Written by Amelia Suon