Posted: by The Alt Editing Staff
Three years ago, Tucson, Arizona rock band Commoner released their first single “Japanese Apartments,” a warbling emo/dream pop track reminiscent of early Turnover meets post-punky Glaze and mixed/mastered by Citizen’s Mat Kerekes. The following year, their debut EP Opia took their lush sound further as they blended elements of shoegaze, post-punk, and post-hardcore over four tracks, but ultimately the band were still searching for their own voice amidst the burgeoning shoegaze/alternative rock revival.
Last year, they seemed to have found their footing when they released two of their strongest singles to date “misery mistaken” and “whateversleftisyours.” where they ditched the syrupy languor of prior releases for a bolder sound that embraces early 2000s alternative metal and emo influences for a more evocative presence that resembles current bands like Oversize, Ritual, or Wayside.
With an EP release slated for March 2025, the band have also teamed up with New Morality Zine to reissue new versions of “Misery Mistaken” and “Whatever’s Left Is Yours” that were produced, mixed, and mastered by Los Angeles producer Zach Tuch (Initiate, Heavenward) along with a remix of “Scar to Fade” by Photographic Memory (Wisp, Glare). The new renditions brighten up the original tracks by cranking the guitars and punctuating the bass and drums for a more sonorous atmosphere that makes Commoner sound immense and commanding as they navigate themes surrounding abandonment, neglect, and healing. It’s an exciting direction for the band that glimpses at their capacity for more dynamic songwriting with emotional depth and makes for a fitting addition to the NMZ roster.
Vocalist Romin Mattison shares:
“We’re trying to avoid sticking to one sound we’re comfortable with. We as a band listen to tons of different music and have so much different inspiration so we want that to be in your face on these songs. We really found it important to step out of our own comfort zone, but remain true to what Commoner is and what that means to us individually.”
The winter promo is a promising look of what’s to come and you can listen to the three tracks below:
Available digitally through New Morality Zine here.
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Loan Pham | @x_loanp
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