EP REVIEW: Hawthorne Heights – Sandpaper & Silk: Behind The Tears 2004-2024
The past few years have been filled with nostalgic comebacks, driven in large part by trends spreading through TikTok, YouTube Shorts, and similar online platforms. With the revival of iconic festivals like Warped Tour, the nu-metal resurgence of Brave New World, and the emo nostalgia of When We Were Young, Ohio-sweethearts Hawthorne Heights find themselves in the perfect storm and commemorate two decades of emo and post-hardcore influence. With that, Sandpaper & Silk: Behind The Tears 2004-2024 does not come off as just a cash-grab scheme to bank on their glory days, but as an earnest attempt to etch a moment of growth and reflection. This six-track EP offers reimagined versions of iconic songs from their seminal album The Silence in Black & White, and manages to balance nostalgic feel-good hooks with contemporary production.
Even though many would consider EP opener Sandpaper & Silk as a beloved deep cut, it arguably embodies the very essence of Hawthorne Heights. Frontman and main creative force J.T. Woodruff once recalled that someone described the band’s sound as “a great blend of sandpaper and silk,” and he has openly acknowledged that this song was shaped by the Dayton music scene that influenced him. This reimagined version departs significantly from its original counterpart, with its instrumental foundation setting the tone for the entire project. Delicate guitar arpeggios weave through the track, anchored by a steady yet dynamic drum arrangement that uses syncopation to enhance the vocal delivery. Additional layers of piano and atmospheric reverb-laden textures subtly weave through the track, adding depth and reinforcing its emotional intensity – a very welcome arrangement addition that finds itself carefully laced across the EPs length.
Fan-favourite Niki FM undergoes a similarly striking transformation, with vocal ad-libs adding depth to its once raw emotions, now tinged with a wistful melancholy that comes with time. A triplet-feel drum groove guides the song’s airy, ethereal tone into bittersweet pop territory, echoing a similar arrangement choice used in How to Save a Life by The Fray. As the band are chanting “I’m outside of your window with my radio,” the track steadily builds until it eventually breaks in a haunting drum outro that underscores the now-iconic final line: “You are the song I know.”
Centre-piece Life on Standby unfolds over a syncopated beat, carried by a restrained yet meticulously crafted arrangement. Intertwining dual guitar hooks, flowing piano melodies, and almost monotone vocal deliveries add a new depth and resonance to the lyrics. The stop-start bridge, punctuated by its emotional “Wake up” mantra, seamlessly ties together the track’s carefully woven elements in a way that feels both familiar and refreshingly new. Meanwhile, Dissolve & Decay immediately establishes its driving momentum with a simple yet effective breakbeat, reinforcing the song’s underlying urgency. As the track progresses, the addition of strings toward the climax intensifies its emotional impact, elevating the raw honesty of its wistful refrain: “Dissolve and decay, there’s nothing left for me.”
The only brand-new track in this collection, Gold Econoline serves as both a tribute and a reflection on a musical life on the road. Written and refined while on the 20 Years of Tears acoustic tour, the track carries an authenticity shaped by the trials and tribulations of a veteran band. Lyrically, it looks back on the band’s journey, honouring lost friends and reminiscing about the early days spent traveling in their old Econoline van.
At the same time, no Hawthorne Heights retrospective would be complete without the EP’s closing track, Ohio Is for Lovers – a song that helped define the noughties-emo era. While the original’s raw emotion and soaring choruses made it a scene staple, this new rendition transforms it into a haunting ballad. Woodruff’s delicate vocals, paired with a sparse yet striking instrumental arrangement, bring the lyrics to the forefront, making the song – originally about the band leaving their girlfriends behind for tour – feel even more intimate and heartbreaking. A subtle blend of overdubbed snare delay, woodwind effects, and steady piano chords maintains the song’s urgency, while the familiar guitar hook gradually builds, lending an almost cinematic quality. The result is a fitting and emotionally resonant closer to this deeply personal collection.
With this EP, Hawthorne Heights signal a reminder on what separates them from their so-called emo-mall peers, offering both longtime fans and newcomers a sincere and artistically refined look back at their journey. Any extra embellishments aim to enhance the most significant moments in the songs, without overwhelming them with overproduced studio tricks. This reflects the band’s deep respect and understanding for both their fans and the core values they embraced during their active years. It’s a wonderful celebration of past accomplishments, while also looking forward to even greater things ahead.
8/10
Standout Tracks: Sandpaper & Silk, Life on Standby, Dissolve & Decay
For Fans Of: Senses Fail, Emery, Silverstein
Written by: Dimitris Vasileias
