SINGLE REVIEW: The Cause Of Depression - Buzzkill
The Cause Of Depression—a four-piece post/alt/emo band hailing from Phoenix, Arizona—craft songs with emotional depth and sonic intricacy. Formed in 2019 in a wooden shed with a dirt floor, the band has steadily carved their place in the local music scene, sharing stages with the likes of Jim Ward (At The Drive-In, Sparta). Their latest single, ‘Buzzkill’, is a testament to their ability to merge compelling storytelling with a richly layered soundscape.
Musically, ‘Buzzkill’ is a swirling mix of 90s-inspired angular guitar riffs, groovy, smooth basslines, and punchy, technical drumming. Atmospheric synths add an expansive, cinematic quality to the track, creating a dynamic tension that mirrors its subject matter. The song traverses emotional trauma induced by toxic relationships and substance abuse, tackling themes of emotional manipulation, codependency, and living a double life.
What sets ‘Buzzkill’ apart is the band’s masterful use of tempo. Highs and lows are woven seamlessly throughout, building intensity and mirroring the emotional peaks and valleys of its narrative. At times, the track slows to a near crawl, allowing the weight of the lyrics to sink in, only to erupt with fervent energy in the next moment. The vocals are as commanding as they are impassioned, driving home the raw, resonant emotions embedded in every lyric.
Drawing from emo and post-hardcore’s emotional gravity, the fuzzed-out grit of grunge, and the art-punk stance of bands like Fugazi, ‘Buzzkill’ manages to be both nostalgic and forward-thinking. It’s a track that feels alive in its construction—every instrument playing its part with purpose, yet working together to create something greater.
Commanding, thoughtful, and undeniably powerful, ‘Buzzkill’ is as much a sonic experience as it is an emotional one. The Cause Of Depression proves here why they’re a force to be reckoned with in the Phoenix scene—and why their sound deserves a broader stage.
