Belted Sweater channels rage and radical hope on new single ‘Cherry Grove’

Christopher Patrick Gregory, the mastermind behind Belted Sweater, is pulling no punches with the band’s self-titled sophomore album. Dropping February 21st via Self Versed Records and Softseed Records, an imprint of Zegema Beach Records, the album is a ferocious collision of metalcore intensity and synth-pop sheen. Preceded by the single ‘Cherry Grove’, ‘Belted Sweater’ is an electrifying manifesto of social commentary and personal reflection.

“This album is about what I see and what I want to see in the LGBT community,” Gregory shares. “The first eight songs are my critique of the mainstream gay community’s shift toward assimilation. The final track flips that narrative, using my own moments of joy and love as a rallying cry for radical social change in the face of right-wing resistance.”

The lead single ‘Cherry Grove’ encapsulates Belted Sweater’s dichotomous style, juxtaposing aggressive, screamo-inspired vocals with shimmering synth-pop hooks. The track layers Kevin Shields-esque noisy guitars over driving, Broken Social Scene-like rhythms, creating a soundscape that’s both abrasive and euphoric.