Everyone has a few select styles that they like to visit every now and then but can rarely ever enjoy to a good extent. For me, that happens to be hardcore. While I find plenty of enjoyment out of several of the “-core” styles, it’s hardcore that rarely strikes me in a good light. But, like most things, I’m surprised every so often. Tonight, hardcore truly gave me something interesting straight out of France in the form of Montagne.

Something that almost always disinterests me about hardcore is how simplistic it is when you break it all down. Sure, a simpler and even minimalistic style can work fantastically for some, but it almost always feels so watered down whenever it’s in the form of hardcore for me. Coming into “Spring Birds”, though, I had hope that Montagne would deliver with a cover art like that. And with but two tracks to offer with this EP, it’s very clear to say that Montagne did a top job with this little offering. “Spring Birds” acts as a sort of mirror between the two tracks as Montagne shows off some diversity with the first track hitting hard and not leaving much room to catch your breath, while the second offers more of an immersive tone that shows off some post elements that Montagne can easily flaunt at the flick of a wrist. All while that’s happening despite the tone shifts back and forth, Montagne manages to keep a solid center of hardcore with “Spring Birds” as to not lose themselves amongst experimentation, and it works out tremendously well by the end of this EP. There’s a special flair that’s always on display with “Spring Birds”, and it’s very clear to me that it comes naturally for Montagne despite the act still being quite new.

Every style has its own surprises that catch me off guard every single time I come across them for one reason or another. It’s been some time since hardcore really reached out to me and caught my attention, and I couldn’t be happier to have an act like Montagne accomplish that. These French men know exactly what they’re doing while still trying to shake up the formula at least a little bit, and it’s with “Spring Birds” that we see the fruits that they bare.

LISTEN to “Spring Birds” on Bandcamp here.

LIKE Montagne on Facebook here.