
Hailing from Arizona, The Real Anthem operate like a long-distance creative alliance, pulling together alternative rock, post-punk, post-rock, and shoegaze into something expansive yet grounded. Led by Shawn Helton, Andy Mitchell, and Matt King, the band thrives on big guitars, dense textures, and emotionally charged vocals. Their latest original single, โSee Angels,โ released on 9th December 2025, is a confident step forward.
The track eases in with vivid, melodic guitar lines that shimmer rather than rush, setting a reflective tone before the drums arrive with a steady, grounded pulse. Shawn Heltonโs voice enters low and gravelly. You can feel the patience, itโs like the song is taking a deep breath before lifting off. Lyrically, it leans into history, loss, and transcendence, threading introspection with a searching hope.
Then comes the shift, as the guitars bloom wider, the energy swells, and Heltonโs vocals rise into something more soaring and declarative. When the refrain lands, โWe see real angels,โ it evokes the emotional release point, where the song opens up and lets light spill through the cracks. The influence of 80s post-punk bands like The Cult and Comsat Angels echoes through a filtered modern alternative rock lens.
Recorded at Mindโs Eye Digital Recording Studio in Arizona and produced by Larry Elyea, โSee Angelsโ benefits from crisp production that gives every layer room to breathe. Itโs introspective without being heavy, uplifting without being sugary. It balances both worlds. And if this single is any indication, The Real Anthemโs forthcoming full-length record is shaping up to be something worth waiting for. So mark your calendars and stay tuned.
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Review by: Naomi Joan

