Location: Novi Sad, Serbia
Year active: 2022 - Ongoing
Members: Andrew, Vladimir
Related bands: Polywhy, Biskup Zauvek
FFO: Jawbreaker, Jimmy Eat World, Sore Eyelids, Title Fight, The Hated, Pianos Become The Teeth
As soon as i started writing for another band, someone commented on my Facebook page, correcting me of Biskup Zauvek's origin apparently being in Novi Sad. I replied to them saying that their Bandcamp states they're from Belgrade, but given the share of its members from multiple places, i guess it's probably both.
Either way, it got me thinking about that other band that they have. The one in particular, that had ALSO dropped a debut EP the same month that the Bishops did. That one kind who sounds almost identical, almost in a back-to-back kind of way.
Indeed, I'm talking about Full Candor, the supergroup duo recently formed by members of the Polywhy crowd. They dropped their debut EP titled Captions for a Battle, mixed by Ilija Kalinić and featuring artwork by Sara Subotin.
The EP's four tracks kick off with an immediate punch, blending explosive post-hardcore with noisy shoegaze and emo elements. From the first note, it's clear that Full Candor isn't afraid to push boundaries, creating a sound that feels raw yet meticulously crafted. The expressive clean vocals cut through the dense layers of distortion, lending a melodic edge to their otherwise chaotic sound.
"Drowning" stands out as the most striking track on the EP. It captures the band’s ability to oscillate between contrasting emotions - starting with melodramatic somberness before plunging into panic-laden dissonant breakdowns. There's a sense of urgency in the song, both lyrically and instrumentally, which pulls the listener into its emotional vortex. It's almost as if the track mirrors the push-and-pull nature of a drowning experience—moments of calm before the storm hits, and everything descends into chaos. It’s no wonder I can’t get enough of it; the tension keeps you hooked.
Captions for a Battle is an impressive debut for Full Candor. The duo's ability to channel such intense emotions into their music, while maintaining a tight, cohesive sound, makes this EP stand out. It’s rare to find a debut that feels this fully formed, but Full Candor manages to balance rawness and refinement in a way that few bands do, especially so early in their career.
Their blend of genres of post-hardcore, shoegaze and emo feels organic rather than forced, which only adds to the overall impact. For fans of bands like Title Fight or Pianos Become the Teeth, Full Candor offers something familiar yet distinctly their own. With Captions for a Battle, they’ve cemented themselves as a band to not sleep on, and I’m excited to see what they’ll do next.
