Sweet Pill – Where the Heart Is – Compact Disc, CD, Topshelf Records, 2023
Philadelphia’s Sweet Pill crafts eruptive emo songs blending pop and hardcore influences. Rooted in their local scene, including side projects and Philly’s 4333 Collective, their sound reflects diverse inspirations, evoking bands like Paramore and Circa Survive with intricate song structures and technical prowess.
Their debut album Where the Heart Is channels raw energy across ten autobiographical tracks, driven by Zayna Youssef’s versatile vocals, supported by guitarists Jayce Williams and Sean McCall, bassist Ryan Cullen, and drummer Chris Kearney. Lead single “Blood” explores a fractured friendship with heavy riffs and rhythmic intensity, while “High Hopes” delivers introspective melodic punk. Slower-paced “Diamond Eyes” features McCall on vocals and guest flutist Jill Ryan for an acoustic breakup ballad.
With elements of math-rock, post-hardcore, and pop, Where the Heart Is showcases Sweet Pill’s dynamic, genre-blurring sound.
