Amusement
Amusement
Brassneck Records [2025]
“More than a compilation—Amusement’s early EPs land like a full-length with teeth and soul.”
Album Overview: Amusement is a Portland-based band made up of seasoned players from the DIY punk and hardcore trenches—From Ashes Rise, North Lincoln, Deathreat, Young Livers, Arctic Flowers, and Bothers, to name a few. While those names carry weight in heavier, more punk charged circles, Amusement flips the script—leaning into melodic grit and emotionally worn songwriting.
Their new self-titled release pulls together the band’s first three EPs—Holding On (2025), Dead on the Inside (2023), and Walk Out to Sink (2023)—into one sharp, cohesive collection. Add a cover of Dinosaur Jr’s “Budge” and you’ve got more than just a reissue; it’s a full-bodied mission statement. Instead of feeling like a loose compilation, all of these tracks together really work. It’s raw, urgent, and a bit weathered—but that just makes it hit harder.
Musical Style: Amusement fuses punk urgency with the melodic heft of ’90s alt-rock. There’s grit in the guitar tone, but melody carries as much weight as distortion. The choruses soar without sounding polished, and songs often drift between gruff introspection and fist-in-the-air uplift. Rhythms lean into feel over flash, and the dual guitars bring texture and heft without crowding the soundstage.
Evolution of Sound: Rather than reinventing themselves, these musicians pivot. Where past bands thrived on speed and fury, Amusement thrives on mood and pacing. The songs stretch out—giving space for melodies to settle, for tension to build, for grit to groove. It’s less about pushing forward at full throttle and more about letting the emotion unfold. It feels like a return to roots, but with a sharper eye and a steadier hand.
Artists with Similar Fire: If you dig Face to Face, Seaweed, or Jawbreaker, you’re already in the right ballpark. There’s a strong throughline to early Gaslight Anthem and the tuneful side of Hot Water Music, with nods to The Replacements and Samiam. You’ll also catch echoes of Dinosaur Jr’s laid-back crunch and the focused drive of J. Robbins’ bands. And if early Superchunk hits the chord for ragged melody, Amusement’s got you covered.
Pivotal Tracks: “Walk Out to Sink” shines with its thunderous guitar tension and strong driving punk vocals —a track that stretches in all the right ways. “Holding On” brings layered guitar lines, energetic harmonies and a shout-along lyrics that stick. And their take on “Budge” is more than a cover; it’s a seamless extension of their sound, showing just how deep the influence runs.
Lyrical Strength: Amusement writes like people who’ve lived it. The lyrics are straightforward and emotionally grounded—tackling frustration, endurance, and the messiness in between. No pretension, no polish—just honest reflections told with a weathered voice and an open heart. The directness adds weight without tipping into melodrama.
Final Groove: This collection isn’t just a handy way to grab the band’s early EPs—it’s a solid document of Amusement’s identity. The bonus track sweetens the deal, but it’s the pacing and cohesion that elevate this release from a catch-up compilation to something more vital. These songs wear their scars proudly, and they still carry the spark of discovery. If this is just the beginning, Amusement’s next chapter is worth waiting for.
AMUSEMENT LINKS
Instagram | Bandcamp | Brassneck Records
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