Heavy-hitters Scowl are ready to unleash their upcoming record, “Are We All Angels,” which purposely omits punctuation to encourage personal interpretation. Their leading singles, “Not Hell, Not Heaven” and “Special,” are great introductory moments for the LP. “Not Hell, Not Heaven” was the album’s most recent drop, after “Special” initially set the scene.

The Northern California-based band sticks to their convictions every time. This strategically placed lead single leaves room for interpretation but also says what it means.

Skeptics are calling the single “pop” due to the large-scale production. However, lyrically, the themes stick true to their roots. It’s catchy, but that’s not a bad thing, after all. Sometimes, more palatable singles allow for broader audiences to awaken themselves.

The large-scale production isn’t distracting from the meat of the song. The repeated hook falls quickly on the ears, as its meaning remains at the forefront of the track.

Overall, “Not Hell, Not Heaven” is a promising start for “All We All Angels.” It’s a little different from Scowl’s earlier work, but as we have learned from bands historically, giving them room to grow is often precisely what they need.