Some bands operate at the same speed their whole career; album after album, you know exactly what you're going to hear when you press play. Whether that's a good or bad thing is pretty subjective - there are examples of both sides. But a lot of my favorite artists like to mix it up and try new things as they carry on, breaking past genre expectations and limitations. And that's what Chris Miller has been up to with his project FYR FYTR. You never really know what you're going to get.

In previous albums, FYR FYTR has been pretty comparable to bands like Starflyer 59 and Fine China. Shoegaze and alt rock were the main game, though some electronic elements also occasionally found their way in. And this is certainly present in the new EP, Snow After Fire, especially early in the tracklist with songs like "Father Time" and "When I Was Twenty." But with new track "My Own Apocaplyse," Miller really starts getting wild, blending his signature sound with some punk rock and post-hardcore. "So Simple" dives more into the post-hardcore sound, with an incredible, thick bass line leading the way into soaring clean vocals, hard hitting drums, and even a little screaming. This gives way into the final track, "No Goodbye," which brings the EP full circle, giving the listener one final glimpse of it all. It feels a bit like My Epic-meets-Stavesacre, and it's definitely a sound I'd love to hear more of from FYR FYTR.

Snow After Fire also gets a little heavier in its lyricism. "No Goodbye" deals with the sudden, unexpected loss of a loved one, and the grief associated with it. Miller recalls the pain and lack of closure, saying "It breaks my heart at the seam that we would be left this way / I cannot believe you had to be taken away / I got in the car and we drove through the night / my heart was heavy, but was broken inside / I needed someone to hold me, console me / and help me through the pain of no goodbye." Miller also contemplates the pros and cons of getting older in "Father Time," as well as our tendency to stray from God's will in "My Own Apocalypse" and "So Simple." But instead of mourning the mistakes, both songs also point to the Lord's faithfulness toward us ("In just a single moment, my heart can stray very far / but Your love's returning compass has led me home in the dark"). So while the EP ends with a song of mourning, it's only after Miller cements his faith and trust in the Lord, and His goodness and love for His people.

Snow After Fire is an exciting step forward for FYR FYTR. The musical output has been amazingly consistent, yet the ever-evolving sounds and styles at play keeps things fresh and interesting. If you've been following along with the singles, you'll no doubt be pleased with how these new mixes turned out. And if you're new to FYR FYTR, this EP is still a great place to dive in.

- Review date: 11/13/25, written by Scott Fryberger of Jesusfreakhideout.com

Record Label: None
Album length: 5 tracks: 16 minutes, 55 seconds
Street Date: November 14, 2025
Buy It: Bandcamp

1. Father Time (2:45)
2. When I Was Twenty (3:13)
3. My Own Apocalypse (3:14)
4. So Simple (3:44)
5. No Goodbye (3:59)