Exotype, Like Monroe

Heavily detuned guitars providing earth shaking riffs engulfed in euphoric, atmospheric ambience, cause your spine to tingle. Pulsing dubstep drops laced with cybernetic synths, shake you with coma inducing bass. Thought provoking lyrics and infectious, anthem-like choruses, shouted by vocalist Josh Anderson, spark a fire inside you that can't be put out.

These unique elements collide in a aural car crash of sorts, leaving the listener with a riveting musical experience that will undoubtedly have them coming back for more.


The most enduring, effective and exciting songs are the ones that connect with listeners in profound, meaningful and personal ways. That's why there are so many timeless tunes about broken hearts, troubled families and overcoming adversity. Some bands set out to save the world, tackling gigantic issues with elaborate polemics. Nothing wrong with that, but others make music simply to save themselves, hoping to influence and inspire those stuck in the same daily struggles by putting their passion and pain upfront.

LIKE MONROE is such a band, dedicating their lives toward making music their job, putting passionate real life storytelling to work on their breakthrough debut album. The Houston, Texas based Ty Johnson, Wade Concienne, Chris Deckard and Alex Lofton have lived through much since coming together to make music as teenagers; breakups, a girlfriend's miscarriage, Deckard's struggles with substance abuse, rehab, relapse and recovery. It's all gone into Like Monroe's songs, giving voice to raw emotions felt by so many.

Imagine combining the electro-anthem creativity of 30 Seconds To Mars, the progressive lyricism of the genre-defining Thrice, the melodic dexterity of Saosin and the passion-fueled exhibitionism of Underoath, who sold millions of records while maintaining artistic integrity. Like Monroe is at the forefront of a new wave of emerging young talent, blazing a path alongside likeminded peers in Nightmares, Secrets, Hands Like House and Cursed Sails, all rapidly defining an all-new generation of heavy sounds.

The amount of buzz and noise Like Monroe was able to kick up on their own drew the attention of Strong Management, the boutique firm instrumental in the careers of Killswitch Engage, As I Lay Dying, iwrestledabearonce and Big Chocolate, among others. Metalcore music industry veteran Carl Severson, who has released records with Every Time I Die, The Devil Wears Prada and In Flames (among others), took note as well. He signed Like Monroe to a deal with Good Fight Music, in partnership with eOne Heavy.

The group set crafted their exciting debut with producer Drew Fulk, whose credits include co-writing, producing, mixing and engineering with Heartist, For All Those Sleeping, Motionless In White, The Amity Affliction and Sirens & Sailors, among others.

The end result is a fresh album that appeals to the sensibilities of Warped Tour goers, Rockstar Mayhem fans, readers of Alternative Press and pop music lovers alike. There's a chunk of songs that don't feature a single moment of aggressive screaming, emphasizing Like Monroe's proficient prowess at writing catchy melodies. There's moments of fierce brutality as well, all infused with postmodern electronics and groove.

"Roswell" succinctly encapsulates the many tools Like Monroe has in their arsenal, with lyrical themes of alienation and feeling out-of-place. "Changing Lanes" is about the transitional moment when one must decide whether to live a life of quiet mediocrity or to throw caution to the wind and pursue a dream with unrelenting determination. The bombastic "We Will All Prevail" is a triumphant reminder of the positive outcome of perseverance and the importance of seeing the light at the end of the tunnel.

The young men of Like Monroe are confident but not cocky, confident in the music and message they deliver and able to look their fans in the eye and themselves in the mirror. They know who and what they are and soon, the rest of the music world will know too!