“Crooked Smile” Is ARCHERS’ At Their Most Unhinged & Most Honest
New Single Review by: Shawn Flaherty – Rock News US/Rock News UK
“Crooked Smile,” the closing track from ARCHERS’ new EP Temporary High, doesn’t just end the record—it buries it. It feels less like a song and more like a psychological event. There’s something deliberately unsettling about it, like a slow, spiraling breakdown you can’t look away from.
Where most tracks follow a familiar structure—verse, chorus, repeat—this one unravels. It starts soft and ghostly, almost inviting you in with open arms, only to shove you into a storm of distortion and emotional violence by the end. It’s ARCHERS at their most fearless, abandoning polish for raw honesty.
The Soundscape: From Hollow to Hysterical
Sonically, “Crooked Smile” lives in two worlds: atmospheric minimalism and full-blown sonic warfare. The intro is drenched in reverb, with ambient guitars and delicate pacing that create a sense of eerie anticipation. Vocals are restrained—almost whispered—like someone holding back tears behind a forced smile.
Then it shifts.
Around the midpoint, the song explodes. Distorted guitars shriek and loop, drums break their restraint, and the vocals go off the edge—not just screaming, but tearing at the walls. There’s feedback, static, and a near-dizzying sense of collapse. It’s chaotic, but controlled in a way that feels intentional. ARCHERS know exactly when to hold back and when to let the dam burst.
The Lyrics
The lines that come through are fragmented but piercing—dealing with the disconnect between outer presentation and internal struggle. “Crooked Smile” says it all: a grin that’s not quite right. It suggests someone who’s been playing nice, putting on a face, but is seconds away from snapping.
There are references to “wearing the same skin too long” and “talking to mirrors that won’t talk back.” These lines evoke a feeling of fractured identity—of someone not just sad, but dissociating under the weight of pretending. It’s not theatrical—it’s disturbingly real.
Where It Fits in the EP
On Temporary High, ARCHERS explore addiction, toxic cycles, and the temporary relief of running from pain. Earlier tracks like “Better Off” and “Safe Now” ride more conventional metalcore structures—shredding riffs, punchy breakdowns, and soaring choruses. “Crooked Smile” is the EP’s emotional resolution—not clean or triumphant, but necessary.
It doesn’t end with clarity—it ends with collapse. Which, in the context of the EP, makes perfect sense. You can’t outrun the lows forever, and this song is the moment they catch up.
Vocal Performance: Controlled Collapse
The vocals deserve their own spotlight. ARCHERS’ frontman walks a fine line between restraint and chaos. Early on, his tone is barely there—so fragile it might shatter. But when the climax hits, he goes feral. The screams are layered, often panned wide, giving the impression that they’re coming from all sides. It’s unhinged, but never messy. It’s the kind of performance that leaves a scar—and that’s meant as a compliment.
Final Thoughts: Art That Doesn’t Apologize
“Crooked Smile” is not a casual listen. It doesn’t offer much comfort. But that’s precisely why it hits so hard. In an era where a lot of heavy music still plays it safe, ARCHERS lean fully into discomfort, distortion, and the ugly side of healing.
This isn’t a song for background noise. It’s a confrontation—one that will resonate with anyone who’s ever smiled through pain until the act itself became unbearable. Catch the single on the SiriusXM Octane Test Drive this weekend, or click on the record below!
Review courtesy of Rock News US/Rock News UK