Copenhagen’s HalfCutLemon return with This Ain’t Real, a bold and fearless second album that shows just how much they’ve grown since their debut. Recorded at the legendary Sweet Silence Studio with Flemming Rasmussen, the record finds the band balancing sharp punk edges with sweeping cinematic moments. Across nine tracks, they explore unrest, memory, anger, and hope, creating an album that feels raw yet beautifully put together.
The album kicks off with Ointment, a track that hits like a sudden burst of adrenaline. The guitars slash through the mix, the bass is gritty and deep, and the drums punch with precision. Jesper Christiansen’s vocals are fierce but melodic, channeling frustration and urgency. It’s a perfect opener that sets the tone for what’s to come. The Sun Is Dying slows the pace but raises the emotional intensity. Its production is lush, with layered keys and ringing guitar lines creating a haunting atmosphere. The song feels like watching something slip away, with a slow-building tension that keeps you locked in until the last note fades. With La Revolution, the band lean into their punk influences. The riffs are fast, the rhythm relentless, and there’s an almost chaotic energy driving the track forward. It’s a call-to-action song, raw and direct, and one of the most aggressive moments on the album. Ella Cinder III (Adult) is darker and more experimental. The instrumentation feels shadowy, almost surreal, with off-kilter guitar work and a vocal performance that sounds confessional. It’s a song that draws you in closer the more you listen, revealing little details with each play. Then comes Up, which changes the emotional temperature completely. This track is more uplifting, with bright guitar tones and a pulse that feels like movement. It’s a song about renewal and moving forward, a needed moment of optimism in the middle of the record. Summer’s Gone is warm and bittersweet, with jangly guitar and a laid-back rhythm that gives it a nostalgic feel. The lyrics reflect on passing time and fading moments, making it one of the most reflective songs here. Fist brings back the grit with distorted guitars and pounding drums. It’s angry but cathartic, channeling frustration into something powerful. The vocals are raw, almost shouted in parts, giving the track a fierce energy. Disturbance keeps the tension high but adds space between the sounds, letting the bass and drums carry much of the weight. The song feels eerie and unsettled, like standing in the eye of a storm waiting for something to break.
Closing track We Know Their Names is slower and solemn, almost hymn-like. The instrumentation is stripped back, letting the lyrics take center stage. It ends the album on a note of reflection, honoring memory and resilience, and it lingers with you long after the final chord. This Ain’t Real is the sound of a band coming into their own. HalfCutLemon are unafraid to push boundaries, and this album proves they can be loud and chaotic one moment, intimate and cinematic the next. It’s a record that demands attention and rewards repeated listens, solidifying their place as one of Copenhagen’s most exciting bands.
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