SPOTLIGHT: Jigsaw Youth Explores Darker Realms in “The War Inside Me” EP
FEISTY AS FUCK, STRIPPED DOWN PUNK WITH AN ATTITUDE — Jigsaw Youth are an all-female punk and grunge ensemble that injects a fresh surge of raw distortion and elements of 90’s alt-rock and nu-metal into their music. Hailing from Staten Island, NY, the band features Maria Alvarez on bass and vocals, Nastacha Beck on guitar and Alex Dmytrow on drums. The powerhouse trio has made waves with their electrifying live performances that effortlessly spark mosh pits within seconds.
A true force to be reckoned with, Jigsaw Youth has released their latest EP The War Inside Me, featuring four tracks that act as a testament to their artistic growth and maturity. With four tracks that serve as sonic milestones, The War Inside Me showcases the band’s evolution, solidifying their presence as a dynamic and formidable presence in the punk scene.
The War Inside Me takes listeners on an exploration of internal conflict, emotional turmoil and introspective struggles. Jigsaw Youth carries a deep meditation into the complexities of the human experience, where battles are fought within one’s own mind and soul. The title itself sets the tone for a cathartic musical journey, inviting listeners to delve into the emotional landscapes explored by the band.
Photo Credit: Vacant Era Photography
Beck delivers shredding vocals that pierce through the air in opening track “Skin,” leaving a trail of raw intensity. “Skin” is the beginning of the nerve-racking radical journey, fueled by an unapologetic commitment to exploring a darker side of the human experience and rising from pain and filth.
She declares that she’s given everything she’s got, but the world doesn’t seem to stop. How can she survive when she was buried alive?
The lyrics, “Wither away / I’ve been akin to the war inside me / When I’m down on my knees / I’ll unfold and emerge a new soul,” mirror the intensity of the emotions conveyed, with a powerful arrangement that interlaces haunting melodies and aggressive instrumentation. The unapologetic nature of the song is evident in its refusal to shy away from the harsh realities it addresses.
Despite the uncertainty of emerging from the ashes of the past, Jigsaw Youth finds beauty in releasing people, places and situations that no longer serve them. Throughout the creation of The War Inside Me, the band members drew inspiration from personal struggles, embracing the darker aspects of their own lives and the world around them.
“When the EP was coming together, that was like the most crazy, introspective time of our lives,” Alvarez says. “During that time, we each were individually going through a lot of growth, a lot of pain and a lot of letting go of things and freeing yourself to be ready for this next chapter – which we were so lucky to be together for. I couldn't have survived the past two years without my girls. I'm really grateful to have that sisterhood.”
Following this explosive start, “No Mercy” is a meditation of percussive poetry, a sonic rebellion that echoes the band’s fearless spirit, pushing the boundaries of grunge and punk with a potent blend of fierce vocals and sharp lyricism. The song delves into the idea of losing oneself in one’s ego and the pursuit of deconstructing everything one has been taught in the lyrics, “I’ll fight my way to the top / Dismantle everything I’ve been taught / Built a foundation of fear / I’ll destroy this ego I’ve held so near.”
Alvarez doesn’t hold back. As the music unfolds, the grunge and punk influences manifest in a cacophony of distorted guitars, punching drums and an overall gritty sound that captures the essence of destruction. “No Mercy’s” sonic landscape mirrors the tumultuous nature of uncovering self-discovery after undergoing an ego death.
Conveying a fearless approach to self-exploration, Jigsaw Youth confronts the chasmic depths of human nature, and the music becomes a vehicle for both chaos and clarity which is heard in the third track. “Deeper” is not just a song; it’s an immersive experience that invites listeners to confront their own egos and embrace the complexities of personal transformation.
During a period of self-reflection, the band members examined qualities they perceived as potentially making them “bad people” and explored the ways in which individuals might be compelled to act out.
Alvarez chose to confront and understand these qualities rather than shy away from them. The lyrics of “Deeper” likely serve as a narrative that unravels the layers of this introspection, offering listeners a raw and unfiltered glimpse into the journey of grappling with one's own perceived flaws.
The chorus, “Count my blessings / Take the leap, go deeper / A lonely view causes thoughts to feud,” expresses a cathartic release and an acknowledgement of imperfections as the emotionally charged vocals reveal a more intimate facet of the band’s artistry.
“‘Deeper’ was getting to that nitty gritty, scary part of yourself that people don’t want to acknowledge,” Alvarez says. “You have to know all parts of yourself before you can really heal anything.”
The closing track “Stranded” encapsulates a resolution after the introspection explored in “Deeper.” The affirmative lyric, “and I promise now to be the one who breaks the cycle of disorderly,” signifies a commitment to growth after breaking free from cycles and habits that were once detrimental. Jigsaw Youth takes on a new meaning to the term “stranded” as a deliberate choice to stand apart from old patterns and embrace a new, healthier direction.
Alvarez's commentary on “Stranded” provides a thematic connection to “Deeper,” as it’s a continuation into the existential question of where one is supposed to go when they have reached a point of emptiness or detachment from their previous life.
“‘Stranded’ is along the same theme as ‘Deeper’ where it's like once you've let go of everything and you feel like you have nothing in your life, where are we supposed to go? Overall our music is always gonna have a theme of searching. I don't think you're ever really done searching,” Alvarez says.
Jigsaw Youth’s The War Inside Me EP becomes a metaphorical canvas on which the band paints a vivid picture of transformation and resilience. It's not merely an exploration of darkness, but a testament to the strength that arises from confronting and overcoming adversity. The band fearlessly confronts the shadows within, creating a sonic landscape that is both unsettling and cathartic. The lyrics are a raw and honest exploration of pain, filth and the challenges one faces in the journey of self-discovery.
Photo Credit: Corey Danieli
