Kellin Quinn's brand new solo project, Haunted Mouths, has left us devastated in the best way possible. His first release under this name is a jaw-dropping LP, A Collection of Greetings.

Despite being known for his roots in post-hardcore, Kellin Quinn has made his solo departure into a bedroom pop dream. He's one of the most notable figures from the late 2000s/early 2010s post-hardcore scene. However, this new endeavor fits him like a glove.

After my first listen, I was left with a nostalgic feeling. The instrumentals included a lovely mix of traditional and digital elements. Deep bass lines, piano melodies, and even saxophone riffs are just a few of the details that made this record unforgettable. These elements blended very well with the digital instrumentation, reminiscent of a 90s video game. Every listen reveals another bit of instrumentation that you may have previously missed. Tracks with several layers of sound are balanced out by the acoustic tracks scattered throughout, curating a result that is balanced without being overwhelming. The production, done by Aaron Marsh, allowed all of these layers to flow seamlessly from beginning to end.

Another standout element of this release is Quinn’s vocal versatility. All while remaining iconic and recognizable, he manipulates his voice from low and calm, to powerful and lively, effortlessly. It sounds like second nature, though different from his usual loud and energetic delivery in other projects. His ability to experiment with vocal fluctuation adds more depth to the listening experience.

Along with his range, his lyricism displays another side of his skill and vulnerability. These songs are lined with expressions of fondness. Every track is a love letter of devotion to his wife and family, all wrapped up with beautiful metaphors. The line “like a rosary, I’ll keep you close to me,” is profound. Everything about these tracks from the sound to the script is a pure display of laying your heart out for the world to see. Quinn expresses his pure admiration in a story format, which keeps it so entertaining to listen to again and again. It’s beautiful, emotional, and intimate. He leaves you feeling the warmth and love along with him.

While it may be drastically different from what the world has heard from Kellin Quinn so far, it is a change that should be welcomed. To be a master of many genres is a difficult feat that Quinn has managed to conquer. With a debut this powerful, the future of Haunted Mouths is one we should all be eager to see.

Keep up with Haunted Mouths here, and stream A Collection of Greetings here.

Destiny Coulter

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