Rising Arp: CURB Blasts Through Life With A Debut Of Emo-Inclined Shenanigans

CURB throws a ruckus about the universal journey of growing up (Credit: CURB)

Don’t curb your enthusiasm – there’s a new band making waves on our Rising Arp radar. Joining the local vanguard of emo-inspired bands is CURB, the vehement trio of Lucas Tee, Farizi Noorfauzi and Samuel Venditti. Formed during the lull of the pandemic, CURB now finds life in its manifestation as its members march onward with their best feet forward. Following a flurry of noteworthy gigs – including a Rocking The Region set at The Esplanade, and opening performances for Thailand’s Death Of Heather and Singapore’s own Cactus Cactus – CURB is now officially releasing a debut album dubbed Hope You’re Doing Well, Michaela, with the hypetrain now hurtling across the tracks.

CURB comprises Farizi Noorfauzi on drums, Samuel Venditti on bass and Lucas Tee on guitar, with all contributing to vocals (Credit: CURB)

The eight-song album is a menagerie of individual anecdotes and collective experiences in the universal journey of growing up. While written amongst CURB’s three members equally, the album features recording and session credits with an ensemble of homegrown acts, spanning noise-rock darlings Subsonic Eye, hip-hop wordsmith Mary Sue and even the always-innovating Fauxe. Despite this sonic potpourri of influences, the record remains rooted in its emo nucleus while diverging towards experimental alt-rock territories. Suited for both traditionalists and those who like listening on the edge of their seat.

Shades of this eclecticism show in CURB’s array of singles. On opening track, “2020”, the three sound cohesively as one. Burly bass jabs thicken the track’s architecture, while peppy guitars lay bendy riffs and harmonic splashes atop rollicking, texture-meandering drumwork. Gang vocals tend to be a recurring motif in CURB’s capers, and they punctuate the coda of this track with sweat-stained solidarity. This unified verve reveals itself in other key releases, such as the high-impact “Last Bus” with its double-timed urgency, and the more pugnacious “Bellboy” that caps off a ride of boisterous uproars and menacing detours with an acoustic serenade by Fauxe. Surprises are plenty in this inaugural arsenal, and you’ll definitely want to give the album a couple of rinses to familiarise yourself with the burgeoning identity of CURB.   

CURB release their debut album, Hope You’re Doing Well, Michaela, on 23 September. Listen to their released singles on Bandcamp and follow them on Instagram.