REVIEW: East Moon’s “Homage” EP Channels the Past While Pushing the Future of Post-Hardcore
REVIEW
REVIEW
☆ BY KIMBERLY KAPELA ☆
EAST MOON PAYS TRIBUTE TO THEIR INFLUENCES WHILE CREATING THEIR OWN PATH – Chicago’s hardcore scene has long been a sacred ground for raw, unfiltered energy, and East Moon is proving to be one of its most exciting new voices. The band’s self-released EP, Homage, is exactly what the name suggests—a heartfelt tribute to the sounds that shaped them, from the cathartic energy of Dillinger Escape Plan to the anthemic hooks of The Used and the merciless edge of Glassjaw. But this isn’t just an exercise in nostalgia. East Moon takes those influences and alchemizes something distinctly their own, blending hardcore’s aggression, pop-punk’s infectiousness, and metal’s grit into a sound that is both unpredictable and intensely freeing.
At its core, Homage is a reflection on personal growth and self-discovery. The songs explore what it means to heal from negativity, both from the outside world and within, and the struggle to push past it toward something more authentic. There’s a raw emotional thread running through every track—anger, desperation, hope—all delivered with a ferocity that feels both deeply intimate and universally relatable.
“The EP is called Homage and it's a love letter to a lot of our musical influences,” frontman and guitarist Jacob Taus reveals. “Most of the themes are about self reflection, navigating negative energy both of people around you and sometimes within yourself, about trying to grow as a person and becoming your true self.”
Homage kicks off with the electrifying “NMA,” a track that wastes no time pulling the listener into East Moon’s sonic storm. Taus’ vocals hit like a gut punch, commanding attention with an intensity that refuses to let go. The song builds and twists unpredictably, keeping listeners on edge while still delivering hooks sharp enough to cut through the chaos. It’s a bold opening statement, setting the tone for the rest of the record.
Every member of East Moon brings something different to the table, and it shows in the EP’s range. Moments of blistering aggression in “NMA” give way to melodic clarity as heard in “Alter Ego,” while tight, intricate instrumentation grounds even the wildest sections in a sense of control. It’s this ability to balance technical prowess with raw emotional weight that makes Homage such an enthralling listen.
If there’s one track on Homage that perfectly encapsulates East Moon’s ability to bridge the gap between raw aggression and vulnerable lyrics, it’s “Stuck Again.” Opening with a gritty, hardcore-driven soundscape, the track immediately plunges the listener into a whirlwind of pounding drums and razor-sharp intensity. But just as the chaos reaches its peak, the band shifts gears, transitioning seamlessly into the kind of soaring pop-punk melodies that defined the early 2000s. It’s a bold move that speaks to East Moon’s knack for fusing their influences without ever feeling derivative.
Lyrically, “Stuck Again” delves into themes of frustration, self-doubt, and the feeling of being trapped in cycles that seem impossible to break. There’s a raw vulnerability in the delivery—whether it’s in the throat-shredding screams or the anthemic, emotionally charged chorus—that makes the song hit even harder.
“We hope that listeners not only find something they can relate to within our music while also embracing our genre fluidity because we truly believe in defying genre stigmas,” Taus says. “We hope this helps people feel better about being themselves no matter what.”
Among the relentless energy and aggression of Homage, one of the EP’s most unexpected and striking moments comes in the form of “Alter Ego.” Stripping back the chaos that defines much of the record, this track leans into a more atmospheric and instrumental-driven approach, showcasing a softer—but no less emotionally intense—side of East Moon.
Anchored by a slow-burning build, “Alter Ego” unfolds with haunting melodies and a subdued instrumental landscape that contrasts the band’s usual hard-hitting sound. There’s a rawness in its restraint, making the emotional weight of the song feel even heavier. The repeated lyric, “I lost myself and you’re the reason why,” cuts deep, delivered with a quiet vulnerability that lingers long after the track ends.
East Moon closes Homage with an absolute powerhouse—“Impending Doom” is a fierce and unfiltered culmination of everything the band does best. From the moment the track kicks in, it’s an assault of tight, razor-sharp hooks and blistering energy. The guitars take center stage here, weaving between crushing riffs and melodic flourishes that add depth without sacrificing intensity. The rhythm section holds nothing back, with pounding drums driving the song forward in a way that feels both chaotic and calculated.
“Although I'm very happy with how all of the songs turned out, ‘Impending Doom’ feels like my favorite at the moment,” Taus says. “It's a song that comes together well to describe a sinking feeling that I assume we all feel often.”
With Homage, East Moon delivers more than just a love letter to the bands that shaped them—they stake their own claim in the post-hardcore and alternative scene. From the throat-grabbing intensity of “NMA” to the emotionally charged atmosphere of “Alter Ego” and the crushing finality of “Impending Doom,” Homage is an EP that refuses to settle into just one identity.
