Imagine walking into a pillow fight and getting a boxing match instead. That’s how Where the Heart Is, the debut full-length from Sweet Pill, hits on initial impact. The Philly indie-punk quintet’s first round presents something that’s much needed in the emotive rock realm, with these 10 tracks showing off both a muscularity gained from its members reps in the hardcore scene, but also a pop fluency thanks to the malleable performance of vocalist Zayna Youssef embedded around its emotions. Hardened edges and warm embraces by guitarists Jayce Williams and Sean McCall, bassist Ryan Cullen, and drummer Chris Kearney round off its corners. This is smart, emotive punk with infinite promise. American Football, Paramore and Algernon Cadwallader equally walked their own paths so a band like Sweet Pill could come along and discover where the hidden intersects run.

Highlights: “Where the Heart Is”, “Blood”, “Diamond Eyes”

Sweet Pill’s Where the Heart Is is available now on Topshelf Records.

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