Anthemic pop-punk Periphery?! - "It's Only Smiles" reaction

[@EndoEDM]

Huge Periphery nerd here. This song is an interesting one because while it sounds so uplifting and anthemic, Spencer (the vocalist) wrote this about his older sister who sadly ended her own life. With that knowledge, your comments about certain elements of the song feeling unsettling (with the odd timings) hit in a way that's never occurred to me before-like they're musically hinting at the emotionally difficult subject by imparting this uneasy sense of things ending too soon. Wild how someone else's review of a song can bring new things to light in a song you've heard so many times. Periphery is often associated with chaos, but they also have many songs that are more accessible/straightforward-even ones that, as you said, you won't see coming. If you decide to dive into more of their music for the channel, I can't recommend Lune enough. It's their quintessential anthemic song. For some other good ones, Catch Fire is another song with a more poppy feeling. The Bad Thing is a riffy monster, if that's enticing. Finally, Satellites is an incredibly beautiful and fulfilling journey. I can also vouch for most Thermobyte's recommendations below, especially Absolomb-one of my favorites.

[@NicoDoesLP]

Every time in the car, when it comes time to do the part "I think I'll just smile through it, all for you" I always choke up without fail. I am a vocalist, but damn, some parts just get you good.

[@EndoEDM]

@@NicoDoesLP It hits so hard, especially if you can relate to the lyrics.

[@psyrik]

Seconded for a Lune listen next!

[@MrErikbaan]

@@NicoDoesLP same here, because we know why this song was written. I unfortunately went through a similar thing like Spencer, so these lyrics are a gut punch for me.

[@donnygushue8152]

@@psyrik Agreed!

[@Thermobyte]

If you like this one, you'll probably like these ones too: "The Way the News Goes", "Scarlet", "Absolomb", "Pale Aura", "Wax Wings", and "Thanks Nobuo".

[@EndoEDM]

Pale Aura is an interesting choice. Why that one?

[@Thermobyte]

@@EndoEDM the Mark Holcomb riffage, mostly

[@EndoEDM]

@@Thermobyte Ah understandable

[@MrLeBlondDave]

Closure is even more epic, Check Out Satellites

[@BratzlerNathan]

second on the satellites

[@nordfour]

yep, we need Satellites

[@HugoStiglitz88]

Yea the closer (not closure, damn autocorrect) is a lot better and the one before it (Sentient Glow aka Mrak God like riffs and melodies)

[@cristiansacogia9800]

​@@HugoStiglitz88You have to listen to both songs in a row for a better experience

[@travesty7656]

Hi Steve, loving the reviews, fast becoming one of my fav reactors simply because you let the song play all the way through before critiquing at the end. Loving the positive vibes you're sending out to Periphery, these boys are absolute musical mad scientists overflowing with creative brilliance. Still yet to hear a song of theirs I loathe. Please try Atropos off the new album and The Way the News Goes, Flatline, Lune and Garden in the Bones as well, but honestly I could suggest their entire back catalogue. Keep it up Steve O'G

[@andrewrobertson179]

One of my fave Periphery tunes…so “tame” but perfectly balanced. Such a sad song that makes me happy, it’s hard to put into words how hard this goes.

[@TundraCH]

Glad you liked it! Yeah very major key track, the lyrics quite dark though, it deals with the vocalists trauma of his sisters passing if I recall "just carry on, smile through it."

[@cristiansacogia9800]

Please listen to Periphery Satellites It's a masterpiece

[@azulero73]

First listen to this, it’s so lush. Thanks Steve.

[@darkphoenix2]

Periphery's discography is probably majority chaotic prog metal with technical riffs and complex songwriting, but there's always an element of pop in their sound too, largely thanks to Spencer's vocal delivery. I think it's a big reason people didn't like him in Periphery's early days, because it seems incongruous with metal. But you listen to a song like this a few times and you realize it's fucking great.

[@Kelly.sapphire]

Periphery is my favorite. They just released an acoustic version of this song and Sarlett with awesome guitar player Mike Dawes. Think you would like Wax Wings, Lune, and Satellites.

[@Technosel]

Came here to say the same!

[@Swollen_Goat]

As much as I love the new album, P5, Hail Stan still holds such a special place in my heart. I don't know if they will ever truly top this album in my ears. It's just so fucking good and has so many good memories for me when it released. P5 is still very much a perfect album though.

[@SteveOGRock]

Just yesterday I heard "Reptile" for the first time. Quite incredible. That reaction will be on the channel sometime in the next few days.

[@Swollen_Goat]

@@SteveOGRock Nice! Reptile might be the most ambitious and insane opener to an album ever.

[@mikeholmes5308]

Reminds me a bit of Band-Maid in couple of ways. Big anthemic pop-punk, but busy underneath. Fascinating. Great track and great reaction!

[@havenless3551]

I think Skyline by ERRA and Without A Whisper by Invent Animate give off similar vibes. This is definitely my favourite song from Periphery though

[@cde1147]

You have to listen to Scarlet by Periphery next! Just the album version though, the music video completely takes people away from the song lol

[@sombreromonkey3995]

If you dig the synth sounds, check out Misha (peripherys guitarists side project Bulb, it's synth electro greatness)

[@Koivisto147]

Satellites

[@itsgloomie]

steve do your ears a favor and listen to the synestia / disembodied titan EP “The Poetic Edda”, this thing is absolutely incredible!

[@derpderpin1568]

With music like this you can usually just bob your head to the cymbal. It's very often riding 4/4.

[@jase88rose]

If you want the actual album closer with a long taper off, listen to satellites

[@adamcogan211]

How are you only listening to this album now????????? It’s sooooo good!!!! Please for the love of god tell me you’ve at least listened to Reptile off this or Dracul Gras off the last album???!!

[@SteveOGRock]

I am going to listen to Reptile for the first time in a couple hours from now live on Twitch actually! 👀

[@SteveOGRock]

Definitely never heard Dracul Gas before.

[@cexyes6572]

Next Please react dracul gras

[@BrinkHouse]

react to Numb by sleep theory :)