LA-based rock band Fencer has released their debut self titled album, Fencer. This album, while entirely self-produced, was mixed by Henry Lunetta and mastered by Zach Fisher.
Here is our track by track of the record.
“Come On, Keep Screaming” starts the record off strong with a loud, grungy instrumental. Once singer Field Cate comes belting in after a minute of bassist Scott Sauve and drummer Cameron Suave rocking out, it is easy to get hooked. The entire song is brash, bold, and entices you to keep listening.
“Couch” keeps the monument going off of the grittiness of “Come On, Keep Screaming.” However, it also features moments of mellowness with an almost jazz feel to them, creating peaks and valleys in the instrumental that feel like we’re on the best kind of roller coaster: one we never want to get off of.
The third song on the record “Buena” is actually a cover of a song by the rock band Morphine. It’s a track off their 1993 album A Cure For Pain. Fencer puts a more modern spin on this typically slow and daunting song. It’s quicker and brighter but also feels more sensual and smooth. Overall, it’s a really great cover and fits quite well on the album.
“Sleepcount” has slow start, gritty singing from Field Cate that matches the rather haunting lyrics. “Somebody went and through me away” is repeated often and reminds us of feelings we know all too well. It’s the perfect lyric and instrumental to personify melancholy meeting bittersweet. About two minutes in is where the song picks up with an angry, thrashing guitar solo. The whole song feels like it’s about to boil over in frustration and ends so abruptly and softly that it comes almost as a surprise but fits the lyrical harshness.
A standout on the record is “Fishfriend.” It starts off tonally different than the tracks before it with just Cate and an acoustic guitar. At first listen, you could pass it off to be a silly song about a pet fish but after listening more closely, it feels more about finding someone and having to let them go, no matter how hard you want to keep them beside you. It’s a simple track but easily more profound than anything else on the record.
“Sanitarium” was released as a single in October of 2022 and it still feels like the perfect Fencer track. It’s perfectly anthemic. It speaks on Field Cate’s struggle with mental health. It’s brutally honest and raw. It’s one of those songs you can close your eyes and picture an entire room singing along to. Or one you could blast in the car with the windows down and your favorite person in the passenger seat.
“Velvet Jetski” paints an interesting picture with its intricate lyrics and impressive writing. Field Cate truly is an incredible lyricist. The song is easily a testament to each member of Fencer’s talent and musical ability. It lets them flex their musical muscles and show off their uniqueness expertly.
Fencer released “Joseph Courtney” as a single back in November alongside the announcement of this record. It’s the story of singer Field Cate’s alter ego that allows him to show off the more manic sides of himself unapologetically. It’s a unique narrative with an operatic, striking sound.
“You’re The Prey” is a personal favorite. It’s lyrically very striking as it puts into words feelings that so many people can never pinpoint. It’s solemn and honest. It feels as if you cracked each member of Fencer wide open and let their true selves spill out.
“Bad Bet” is the perfect ending of a well rounded album. It starts off acoustic and gradually adds more Fencer elements, eventually ending up as an all in and well rounded song. Just Field Cate and a guitar softly and slowly becomes Scott Suave adding some soft bass. A minute in, Cameron Sauve comes in on the drums. There’s some extra talking in the background that adds a bit of nuance and honesty. It feels like we are sitting it on the three of them having a jam session and just having fun creating a genuine piece of music.
Overall, this is an impressive debut with intricate, honest lyricism and gritty instrumentals that create a perfect picture of who Fencer is.
You can listen to “Fencer” here:
