NOELLE SUCKS DROPS NEW EP CALLED ‘LIFE IS SW33T’ AHEAD OF PERFORMANCE AT EMO NITE DAY IN LA
The emergence of nostalgia core has paved the way for modernization, with artists like Graveboy Record’s flagship Noelle Sucks, doing some serious groundwork to keep things afloat and evergreen. Lately, Noelle Sucks has been refining her sound, which can be heard most clearly in her newest release, an emotionally harrowing (/positive) EP called, ‘Life Is Sw33t.’ Here, we see a more confident Noelle Sucks than when she was first signed. Her breakout effort, “Ugly Ugly,” scratched the surface of Noelle’s intentions. It is clear now that she has always known what she wanted to do; the founding fathers of new-age emo (TJ Patrecca and Morgan Freed) gave her the extra resources necessary to see her creative vision be brought to life.
Noelle is gearing up to perform at Emo Nite Day on December 9, 2024, at the Palladium in Los Angeles, CA. Noelle’s mind is full of color and whimsy, a staunch reminder that a record deal is merely a tool and stars are born from artists who know how to harness their powers correctly. I, for one, cannot wait to see her perform these fantastic songs live.
This is shown in the first seconds of the EP’s introductory track, “Nonchalant.” I covered this track when it was first released, surprised by the enthusiasm my peers seemed to have so naturally. We all came from a particular moment in time when genres blurred together. Yet, here we are at a cornerstone; our task is to create new new subgenres. Noelle makes it seem effortless, with a clear vocal tone I envy. Production efforts from Devon Corey (idkraeven, Billy & The Kidz) solidify Noelle’s presence within a specific scene. LA’s underground is full of goodies, and though Noelle is slightly above ground, it’s nice to find an artist at this stage of their career, where calculated efforts are palpable. “Nonchalant” opens up the colorful corners of her mind to the garden that hosts the flowers that blossomed after “Ugly Ugly.”
She makes it easy to reaffirm my stance that a record deal is simply a tool that pushes an artist forward with more resources in “Copy Ur Keys (ft. Spencer Chamberlain).” The incorporation of the Underoath frontman makes sense in so many ways. Emo Nite attendees have likely seen Chamberlain’s DJ sets on more than one occasion, a pleasant surprise every time. This symbolic passing of the torch symbolizes legacy acts embracing kids my age who are just trying their best. “Copy Ur Keys (ft. Spencer Chamberlain)” is catchy enough to push Noelle to mainstream audiences, with or without legacy help. The production value also affirms Graveboy Records’ seriousness as an outlet for artists to pursue their creative passions.
The only track I hadn’t heard from the EP was “Sorry I’m An A$$hole.” The introductory guitar tone scratches such a deep itch in my brain that I yearn to eat the sounds of my favorite distortion pedals. It also calls back to the 00s sounds we know and love, a mixture of grit and optimism despite current circumstances driving dramatic melancholia. Lyrically, “Sorry I’m An A$$hole” is some of Noelle’s most refined work. She has found an outstanding balance between tongue-in-cheek turns of phrase and lines stolen from pages ripped out of her diary. Her delivery is fascinating; she never pushes her vocal range further than it needs to go, yet there is a lot of strength in her phrasing. This song showcases many different things at which she excels, namely vocal performance, in a broad sense. She is genuinely a vocalist at her core.
Finally, the titular track, “Life Is Sw33t,” drives everything home—including typographic stylistic choices. Here, Noelle explores her sonic aesthetic, marring The Postal Service and Owl City. It has “Fireflies” charm with “Such Great Heights” depth. It’s a bit more mature than Owl City’s breakout record, but maybe I just liked that record when I was 12. Regardless, it offers that same sparkly, twinkly effect that these artists tend to lean towards. Noelle’s inspirations are palpable, but she exists in the realm of her creation. I tend to look for this in reviews, especially since I get sent new music every day. It’s easy for me to see where someone has an idea for something, but how they execute it is how I set them on a star scale. Noelle consistently receives 5 out of 5 stars from me for daring to pursue creative fulfillment through exploration, collaboration, and innovation.
Overall, this EP seems to be a sample piece of a more significant body of work, like the hallowed halls of Emo Nite are Costco aisles, and each song exudes an aroma so enticing you can’t help but try it out. Sometimes, you may find your new favorite thing; magic is everywhere for those with ears to hear it. Noelle Sucks has an earnest thirst to create, one that seeps through every new release without fail. She carefully chooses collaborations, only picking projects that truly resonate. This is what separates Noelle Sucks from the fabled one-hit wonders of old. She has learned how to have and eat her cake—but have fun doing it, too. The help of expert mentorship only pushes her forward towards superstardom, but Noelle Sucks’ ‘Life Is Sw33t’ EP suggests that our little niches are not as niche as we may think. This could push her into mainstream audiences.