Fairwell is a new melodic hardcore band (bordering on metalcore) from Orange County, California. Their first EP release, “When We Forget What Was Once Cherished,” is sure to set them apart from the competition.

It felt as if Fairwell had come out of seemingly nowhere. If it weren’t for Dreambound, they might have just missed their opportunity to shine. Their first EP release, while not quite an album, sure feels like it. Containing six songs of pure emotion, it’s not hard to see why they call themselves “Southern California emotion.”

Starting off the album is a short introduction track, that like many other introduction tracks really sets the mood for the EP. It can’t be stated enough, Fairwell is a product of many years of melodic hardcore. They aren’t first, and they won’t be the last, but with many bands to study from, Fairwell has chosen the perfect time exist.

After the introduction, the listener gets thrown head first into the fray that is “Departing Gift.” Full of harsh vocals, pounding drums, and fast guitars. Only to breach through the chaos and take a breath during a short section of cleaning singing. “Departing Gift” doesn’t let up. It’s a journey from start to finish of what can only be described as emotional chaos, beautifully crafted.

Following that is “Hollow Embrace.” A song just as strong as the previous song, but this song really showcases the depth that Fairwell can achieve. The thing that sets Fairwell apart from other bands in the genre is how they seem to call back to all forms of hardcore. Almost every song has a moment that is reminiscent of the hardcore from the 2000s, as well as the new school melodic aspects of hardcore. “Hollow Embrace” displays that quite well with its haptic switching between clean vocals and harsher vocals, as well as enough time to slow down for a pleasant middle section.

At the center of the EP is “Shed.” Their single of sorts, as there is a music video for it and it was released prior to the release of the EP. “Shed” does what it needs to as the center of the album. It carries you along and doesn’t let you get complacent or take the album for granted. It doesn’t try anything new that you haven’t heard already, but it does not disappoint either. Parts of this song remind me of bands like Sinking Ships, or even Inked in Blood, mixed with elements of Counterparts, and early Hundredth.

Rounding out album is “Decevoir,” a previously released song. Unfortunately nothing is changed from the previous version. The songs are identical. However, the final song, “What Was Once Cherished,” is a perfect song to round out the EP with. It has some spoken word mixed in with singing, that is reminiscent of Dependence. This song is slower, but offers a great pay off to those with patience. Ending with an emotionally driven spoken word section, without music that is gut wrenching. The ending of this song is full of emotion, life, and everything you come to expect from this genre.

This EP feels like a culmination of great works. Hardcore is not dead, not in the least. But this album is a perfect album to end a decade where hardcore evolved the most. The decade started with an old tired out genre, and ended with some of the most beautiful and emotional music ever created. Here’s hoping the next decade is just as evolutionary.