Wither / Grow is a collection of intricately detailed and dynamic compositions that command your attention with every musical and lyrical decision, and cohesively work together to tell a story. As a concept album that explores the thoughts of a man dying of an unknown sickness in tracks 1-7 and reflects on his life from beyond the grave in tracks 8-10, the overarching narrative here is important but also not forced. The themes of suffering and death are brutally honest, but are counterbalanced with a poetic delivery, themes of hope and faith, and warm, inviting musical backdrops.

With lead vocals and piano from Derek Nowak, guitar and vocals from Andrew Blank, drumming and production from Eric Novroski, and bass guitar and vocals from Gavin Jacobs, the chemistry these four musicians have is undeniably harmonious. This is especially true during some well-executed trade-off vocals between Nowak and Blank -- tastefully laced throughout -- as well as Nowak and Jacobs on the unassuming highlight, "In Hindsight." Adding to the magic of this release is a seamless and unique blend of genres, including rock, classical piano, post-hardcore, emo, indie rock, and alternative. There are even moments of metalcore, jazz, and pop/punk on "Drowning in the Dark," "In Hindsight," and "Paper Thin," respectively. It is all executed perfectly and dynamically, offering a fascinating and surprising listen on the first couple playthroughs, while still being melodic and detailed enough to be rewarding on subsequent listens.

From the opening drum beat and piano notes of "Fever Bloom," to the bombastic delivery in "Drowning in the Dark," to the smooth transition of "Lament" into "Paper Thin," all the way to the three singers belting their hearts out in the closing moments of "Forever In Echo," this is a meticulously and brilliantly crafted experience. Striking a perfect balance between evolving their sound and maintaining the magic that made that full-length debut so special, this album provides a captivating listen for now and sets a great precedent for how they may continue to build their discography. Wither / Grow is a wonderful reminder that there are still artists who care about the medium of the whole album and can easily be considered a masterpiece.

- Review date: 6/12/26, written by Christopher Smith of Jesusfreakhideout.com

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