Sharktüth, the latest EP from Pacific Purgatory and And Cowboys, defies convention not only in its music but also in its unconventional birthplace: a Discord channel.
The joint effort came to life with the creation of a collaboration album on the Asian Glow Discord channel in November 2022. And Cowboys contacted Pax, the mind behind Pacific Purgatory, hoping to collaborate on a song for the project.
“I was thinking And Cowboy’s music is probably going to suck, I’m not going to lie,” said Pax. “I don’t want to discourage people, but sometimes D.I.Y. music is a little undercooked.”
But And Cowboys’ music didn’t disappoint. The one song they wrote together would turn into two, and it eventually amounted to a five-track EP released on September 9.
Creating Sharktüth
Hailing from Las Vegas and Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, respectively, Pacific Purgatory and And Cowboys embarked on a months-long creative journey, relying on Discord and Google Drive for their collaborative efforts. They spent this time sending ideas and takes to one another, progressing song after song until they finished the project.
Both artists describe Sharktüth as a slacker rock/screamo hybrid. But to categorize it at all is unfair to the musical diversity the two provide. While this may turn some away, I think it’s a bolder project for doing so.
It serves as yet another example of how fifth-wave emo (Home is Where, Your Arms Are My Cocoon, and Glass Beach) continues to expand its boundaries. With both artists’ influences spanning from Turnstile and Weatherday to Owl City, it’s evident how this collaboration could produce distinctive music.
“Pax has more holistic ideas about music and what he wants to express with it, and he builds stuff around it often,” said And Cowboys. “I liked that because that’s always been like a real songwriting struggle for me. I was very happy to be able to release music and have that taken care of by someone that I could trust with that sort of thing.”
Holistic is evidently a great way to describe what makes Sharktüth so effective. The songs walk a fine line by not overwhelming listeners with how much is going on but by being balanced in just the right way to keep the tracks both listenable and interesting.
For Pax, who was accustomed to working alone, this collaboration provided a refreshing opportunity for shared creativity.
“It just feels good to find your people,” he said. “To find other individuals that share the same creative goals and build off one another.
The Music
The EP’s opener, “Kokoro,” surprises like biting into pizza only to discover it’s a delicious piece of cake. It kicks off with an engaging riff before evolving into a twinkling, almost Nintendocore-inspired track. While it is screamo-aligned, it also offers unique noise-pop goodness, setting it apart from traditional skramz artists.
Although “Kokoro” should have been my favorite from Sharktüth, “War Devil” steals the spotlight.
It’s a heavy and fast track that is elevated by captivating strings (an umbrella term I’ll employ to sound sophisticated). The drums from And Cowboys (shout out to Aaron) tie it all together, creating an epic auditory experience.
While this could’ve been a satisfying three-minute banger, the artists’ decision to slow down and let the music breathe pays off brilliantly. If you’re going to sample one track from this EP to decide if you should try it, make it this one.
Sharktüth‘s pace slows significantly from this point on. The following track, “Kabukilles,” while returning to a more skramz-oriented sound, is also slower than the first two tracks.
However, the reduction in pace pays off with my favorite lyrics of any track, which tell a story of intimacy and trust. I’m admittedly a Softy McSoftface, but I’ll always be moved by lyrics such as:
Still, if worse, worse, worse comes to worst
Worth, worth, worth, know your worth
For you, I’d move the sun and the moon
All the stars and Jupiter and Mars and Neptune!
The EP’s final two instrumental tracks, “Manta Raves (一)” and “Manta Raves (二),” take a significant departure from the preceding tracks. They lean heavily towards a pop, electronic, and lo-fi rock vibe, which initially strikes as audacious considering the preceding offerings.
“Manta Raves (一)” is the most bedroom pop, dance-esque track on the EP, which is ironic given that I came in expecting a screamo project. It’s not something I’d typically seek out, but I enjoyed it.
I must also acknowledge the Fallout: New Vegas audio clip at the start of “Manta Raves (二).” Any love for the greatest video game ever made is an automatic plus for me.
“Manta Raves (二)” defies easy categorization in a project already full of genre-blending. Is it an alternative song? Electronic? Shoegaze? I’m still uncertain, but that’s part of its charm. It’s a testament to the EP’s adventurous spirit, adding a lively and exciting touch.
Considering the music and a brief description of the final two tracks on Pax’s Bandcamp, they feel like a love letter to the Pacific. It’s a fitting and beautiful conclusion to an EP that continuously surprises and delights.
TL;DR
Sharktüth is a new musical trip born from Discord that exhibits Pacific Purgatory and And Cowboys’ originality. The variety and surprising turns taken in this EP make it a must-listen for emo fans looking for something new.
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