The fellas in Frayed Ends are back with their latest effort, and let's just say it's rough. From subpar production to uninspired vocals, there's a lot here that begs for attention and improvement. Let’s start with the biggest issue: the vocals. Whether it’s by choice or simply a lack of enthusiasm, the main vocalist sounds like he’s barely present. There’s a noticeable lack of energy behind the performance, as if he’s just going through the motions. It feels less like a passionate performance and more like a student hastily finishing homework the night before it’s due, doing just enough to get by but without any real drive to excel. This lack of conviction in the vocal delivery really takes away from the emotional weight of the tracks, especially on a record titled "Strived"—you would expect to hear someone striving for better, but instead, it often feels like the opposite.

In contrast, the guest vocals stand out significantly, bringing a much-needed sense of urgency and passion to the table. They bring a rawness and energy that the main vocalist just fails to capture. This stark contrast really highlights just how much the main vocalist still has to work on if he wants to carry the weight of a hardcore band. He simply doesn’t seem up to the task of fronting this band, and it feels as though the band's momentum is being held back by that.

The band itself has its issues as well. At times, it sounds like they’re not even in sync with each other, with several moments where the rhythm feels off and the performance comes across as disjointed. The drums in particular sound sloppy, lacking the precision that hardcore needs to make an impact. The guitar riffs are forgettable, lacking the aggression or creativity needed to make them stand out. On a positive note, the bass actually holds its ground and sounds solid, providing some stability amidst the chaos. But even that isn’t enough to save the overall sound.

When it comes to the production, it’s clear that this was a rushed and disorganized effort. The recording feels fragmented, as if the instruments were tracked in separate rooms and pieced together without any cohesive vision. The mixing is messy—some instruments are overly loud, while others are barely audible, making it difficult to appreciate the full range of the band's potential. It lacks the polish and clarity that a hardcore album needs to truly hit hard.

Towards the end of the album, there are signs of improvement—the band begins to find their footing and the sound starts to tighten up a bit. But by then, it feels like the band is more dabbling in music for fun, rather than seriously committing to the genre. If this is them trying to present a serious effort, they’ve got a lot of work to do. In its current state, it feels like a lackluster attempt at hardcore that doesn't quite live up to the genre's standards. Frayed Ends definitely have room to grow, but they need to refocus and bring more heart to their music if they ever want to make a lasting impact.