With Misfit Memoirs, UniversalDice takes a bold step into the modern rock landscape, blending introspective lyrics and an eclectic mix of influences. Their sound is a heady combination of raw emotion and alt-rock energy, positioning them somewhere between bands like Imagine Dragons and Arctic Monkeys, with a touch of The Killers’ cinematic flair. While it might not break entirely new ground, the album is a deeply personal, emotionally charged exploration that showcases UniversalDice’s ability to create memorable, genre-blending rock.
The opening track, “My Heart is in Your Hands,” immediately sets the tone with its anthemic feel and sweeping instrumentation. There’s a sense of urgency in the lyrics, akin to Imagine Dragons’ larger-than-life sound, with lead vocalist’s pleas of “My heart is in your hands / Don’t mean to be a burden” echoing the vulnerability often found in their hits like “Demons” or “Believer.” The song’s expansive production, complete with soaring guitar lines and an almost orchestral quality, is reminiscent of the anthemic alt-rock of bands like OneRepublic. However, UniversalDice’s lyrical depth distinguishes them, and they manage to strike a balance between grandiosity and intimacy.
“Once Upon A Time” follows suit, offering a darker tone with its reflective lyricism and moody atmospherics. In many ways, the track recalls the melancholic rock sensibilities of Arctic Monkeys’ AM era, particularly in the brooding delivery of the line “Once, upon a time / I began, my life of crime.” The track’s slow burn and emotionally charged atmosphere echo the same kind of self-destructive introspection found in Arctic Monkeys’ “Do I Wanna Know?” Yet, UniversalDice’s sound here leans more into soulful depth, with a nod to bands like The Black Keys, who often blend bluesy elements into their rock.
Tracks like “Kiss Me” show UniversalDice’s knack for mixing introspective balladry with sweeping intensity, a hallmark of bands like The 1975. The raw emotion in the line “Like a ghost I’m here then gone / I can’t change what I have done” could easily fit within the glossy, melancholic realm of The 1975’s I Like It When You Sleep… album, where themes of longing and regret frequently surface. The chorus of “Kiss me, kiss me” feels like a plea for redemption, almost cinematic in its delivery, but at times, it risks overstaying its welcome, much like some of the repetitive elements in The 1975’s songs.
Tracks like “I’m Not Me Anymore” offer a more stripped-back feel, giving UniversalDice a chance to show off their vulnerability. The minimalism here feels akin to a quieter, introspective moment you might find on a Vampire Weekend track, especially with the focus on lyrics like “I’m not me anymore,” which carries a weight of personal transformation and loss. Though the track is emotionally compelling, there’s a slight sense that it drags on too long without introducing enough variation, a potential pitfall that can sometimes hold back bands from truly capturing the listener’s attention.
The album’s darker tracks take on the angsty, rebellious energy of bands like Muse, with lyrics like “Why do you curse me this way?” carrying the biting defiance found in their work. These tracks showcase UniversalDice’s willingness to embrace anger and frustration, adding a rock edge that sets them apart from the more atmospheric tracks that dominate the rest of the album.
Closing out with “Delectable,” UniversalDice leaves listeners with a sense of emotional completion. This track, with its lush instrumentation and introspective lyricism, mirrors the grand emotional payoff of an Arcade Fire song, leaving behind a powerful and thought-provoking conclusion to an album that explores the depth of self, love, and loss.
Misfit Memoirs is an album that doesn’t shy away from emotional complexity. UniversalDice may not be reinventing the wheel of modern rock, but their ability to merge personal storytelling with genre-bending production places them firmly in the conversation with bands who are pushing the boundaries of rock today. While the album occasionally leans on repetition and could benefit from more dynamic variation, it’s clear that UniversalDice has the potential to carve out their own unique space within the rock genre.
Jodi Marxbury