Have you ever felt lost in your own skin? Perhaps more to the point, have you ever felt alienated by those around you, as if they were but pale shadows of what you once thought them to be? Capitalism breeds alienation, so many of us feel odd, isolated, atomized, or off, these days. As I write this, significant changes are taking place in the United States, and by the time this is published, who knows what else will unfold over these couple of days. However, despair is not a very good option. Instead, let us celebrate creativity, art, and a touch of nostalgia as we grapple with “The Metaphysics Of Losing A Friend”, the latest single from German emotive hardcore upstarts, CAGES. Check out the lyric video below!
“The Metaphysics Of Losing A Friend” addresses the loss of another person’s transition into complacency and indifference, leaving behind the shallow shell of a facade, something that can and does fool others into thinking that this person is a caring and trusting individual, only to discover that underneath is the same vacuous charlatans that we all fear or fear becoming. CAGES postulate on this sense of loss and alienation through their emo-tinged hardcore, channeling ’90’s and 2000’s era DIY bands, but with their own take on the sound. “Metaphysics […]” sounds triumphant in its riffs and melody, despite the the lyrical content, calling to mind Thursday and Jimmy Eat World at once.
This tinge of nostalgia for simpler times of basement shows and the exuberance of youth is just the remedy those of us grappling with new realities could use right now. CAGES pull off a beautiful ode to that bygone era and join the ranks of many up-and-coming screamo bands, albeit a little more polished and optimistic sounding than many of them.
“The Metaphysics Of Losing A Friend” is the lead single from CAGES‘s forthcoming EP, Better Mistakes, out February 21st, 2025 via Through Love Records – you can preorder it on Bandcamp. You can also follow them on Facebook and Instagram. This is a promising new entry into what is shaping up to be a fantastic year for emo and hardcore fans, already. Don’t sleep on this band!
