Eric Coomer’s latest album, American Polemic, is a searing musical exploration of the current U.S. sociopolitical climate, released just in time for the 2024 election year. Through a fusion of post-punk, thrash, fuzz rock, trap, orchestral flourishes, and catchy pop hooks, Coomer crafts a concept album that critiques Trumpism, chaos, and the polarized landscape that fuels it.
American Polemic kicks off with “American Polemic (Intro),” a chaotic soundscape reminiscent of flipping between news channels, capturing the relentless media frenzy and the anxious political environment. It is followed by “Outrage Us,” a satirical piece sung from Trump’s perspective. Coomer’s characteristically high, mocking tone conveys the ego and self-perceived invincibility of the controversial candidate. The gritty beat and sharp lyrics highlight the divisive rhetoric, with lines like “I got the microphone / It’s louder than your sign / It’s louder than your outrage / That’s by design.”
Further into the album, “Everything’s Fine” stands out as a desperate, self-determined, forceful healing track. Built on a dynamic rhythm section and gritty guitar riffs, the song’s orchestral bridge allows Coomer’s voice to soar over backing harmonies, creating a cinematic soundscape that hints at both frustration and endurance. His insistence that “everything’s fine” feels like a façade, slowly peeling away to reveal vulnerability beneath the bravado.
“These Days,” a cover of R.E.M.’s song, bursts with thumping drums and blazing guitars, echoing a message of perseverance despite the prevailing chaos. The final track, “All is Not Lost,” ends the album on a note of tentative optimism. With a blend of strings, electronic undertones, and rock elements, the song acknowledges disillusionment yet insists on the importance of striving for change.
Check out the musical social critique American Polemic by Eric Coomer on Spotify.
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Review by: Naomi Joan