You can either passively wait around for change or actively induce it. The latter requires deliberate focus and clear intention. Until I Wake purposefully embrace change. By doing so, they deftly control the evolution of their music, fusing post-hardcore, alternative, hip-hop, and metal into a hypnotic hard rock hybrid without comparison. The Buffalo, NY quintet—Justin Smith [vocals], August Lee Geitner [guitar], Niko Karras [guitar], Ryan Ridley [bass], and Alex Curtin [drums]—embody the sound and spirit of transformation on their second full-length album, Renovate [Fearless Records].
“The meaning of Renovate is all about metamorphosis,” says Justin. “It’s a universal tale of what it means to find your way out of the darkness to become the most beautiful and powerful version of yourself.”
“Since day one, we’ve been through a lot of shit,” admits Ryan. “This album is about establishing who we are and rebuilding the foundation of the band. We’re creating the best form of what Until I Wake is and will be for the future.”
They have consistently determined and impacted the future on their own terms. In 2021, the group buzzed with their self-titled EP. The standout “Self Medicated” generated north of 21 million Spotify streams and counting, bulldozing the way for their 2022 full-length debut, Inside My Head. “Octane” racked up over 10.1 million Spotify streams followed by “Inside My Head” with north of 5.7 million Spotify streams. Beyond earning praise from Alternative Press, Outburn, KERRANG!, and more, they graced the bills of massive festivals such as Louder Than Life, Upheaval, and So What, among others.
During November 2023, Until I Wake initially welcomed Justin to the fold. With only nine days to learn the entire set, he assumed vocal duties for a string of tour dates.
This trial by fire affirmed he was the perfect fit…
“We crushed those initial shows, and we decided to keep going,” recalls Ryan. “Ten years ago, Justin was in one of my first projects. We’d gone our separate ways, but we remained friends. When the time came to find a new vocalist, I immediately thought of him, because he’s got the stage presence and the lyrics. Most importantly, he has the motivation to be a top-tier frontman.”
“It just felt right,” adds Justin. “A few months before Ryan offered me the first opportunity, I’d written a prayer. I asked God to use me as a vessel and to bring me closer to my truest purpose. After Ryan reached out, it felt like my prayer was answered. I was balling my eyes out with joy. Almost a year later, I have the same feeling.”
Decamping to Michigan, they recorded what would become Renovate with THE PLOT IN YOU frontman Landon Tewers behind the board as producer. Sharing an Airbnb together, the musicians locked into a creative groove right away. Energized by this process, the band completed the album in less than a month.
“We each had a setup of our own in the Airbnb,” Niko goes on. “We started pumping out music as soon as we got there. Justin would come up with a lyrical idea, or I’d have a riff. August would chime in and add his take. One of our goals was to sound bigger.”
“It was a completely open creative process,” says Ryan. “Everybody’s input was taken into consideration, and we were really receptive to Landon’s ideas.”
Fittingly, they kickstarted this era with the fiery “Hole Hearted.” It surges with intensity fueled by rapid-fire drumming, a pummeling chug, and alternately entrancing and explosive vocals. Elsewhere, the title track “Renovate” layers breathy vocals over an airy beat until a surge of distortion uplifts a promise on the chorus, “I’d leave it all, give everything I have, I’d leave it all to create myself.”
“It’s specifically about rebuilding yourself from the ground up,” affirms Ryan. “The whole album is mental health-driven. You’re creating whatever you want out of yourself.”
Jumpstarted with a thrash-style onslaught, “The Reverence” tempers a guttural polyrhythmic guitar barrage with glitchy electronics. Justin’s vicious scream cuts deep as he warns, “You’re out of luck.”
“It calls out anybody who doubts you in your life,” confesses Ryan. “It’s for those people who doubt what you’re capable of, your ambition, your goals, and your dreams and try to put you down.”
Then, there’s “Messenger.” A master class in dynamics, it seamlessly weaves together ethereal melodies and gnashing grooves with slick hip-hop.
“It tells the story of a visitor I had in a dream one night,” reveals Justin. “The space was infinite—a realm between worlds. Standing in nothingness, a hooded figure appeared and grabbed me, pulling me in close, giving me instructions to follow, and disappearing. Weeks passed, and I could not shake this dream. One day, those instructions directly correlated to a particular situation, and it all clicked. I believe it could’ve been divine intervention to put me back in the right direction and follow my calling, which is music. This is where my faith in God, or a higher power of sorts, was solidified.”
On the other end of the spectrum, Until I Wake nod to “nostalgic emo” with the bright guitars and airtight songcraft of “Hell Of A Ride.” You won’t be able to shake the refrain, “They’ll never take us out alive. We’ll live forever.”
“We were aiming to write a timeless song,” Ryan states. “Hopefully, you can jam this 20 years from now.”
In the end, you’ll be able to draw strength from Renovate for a long time to come.
“We hope this inspires you to do better, create yourself, and get over whatever is getting you down,” Ryan leaves off. “You can make a change to live a good life.”
“I’ve fought depression, panic disorder, and anxiety and came out wiser from it all,” Justin echoes. “I want our listeners to understand we are united in grief and together we can get through it and become stronger.”
