In a digital age characterized by fleeting connections and overwhelming noise, Origami Angel’s latest offering, Feeling Not Found, emerges as a poignant exploration of disconnection and self-discovery. The DC-based duo, comprised of guitarist/vocalist Ryland Heagy and drummer Pat Doherty, channel their experiences into a cathartic blend of pop-punk and emo that reflects both the absurdities and heartaches of modern life.
For the past eight years, Origami Angel has celebrated the joys of friendship, nostalgia, and youthful exuberance, often encapsulated in their catchy skate-punk anthems. Songs from their earlier work, such as the 2018 EP Doing The Most, resonated with a carefree spirit, encapsulating the warmth of shared moments over fast food and cartoons. However, with Feeling Not Found, the band ventures into darker territory, offering a narrative that feels more introspective and urgent.
Heagy’s proclamation in the previous EP—“I’m too scared to be alone”—echoes throughout this record, but now it’s imbued with a sense of urgency as he grapples with feelings of existential dread. The band’s third full-length album serves as a powerful commentary on the chaos of the digital landscape and its impact on human relationships, making it one of their most biting and demanding releases to date.
Recorded with alt-rock producer Will Yip, known for his work with a variety of contemporary acts, Feeling Not Found showcases a more polished sound that retains the duo’s DIY ethos. The production elevates their music without compromising the raw energy that fans have come to love. The album blends brash, innovative instrumentation with Heagy’s distinctive voice, creating an infectious sound that pays homage to the 2000s pop-punk and metalcore influences.
Clocking in at just over 30 minutes, the album is a whirlwind of sharp riffs, breakneck tempos, and gang vocals. Songs like “Sixth Cents (Get It?)” highlight the frenetic energy that defines the band’s style while providing biting commentary on the commercialization of music. Heagy’s snarl over driving drums encapsulates the pressures of turning passion into profit, reflecting a modern music landscape where authenticity often collides with the demands of marketing.
The thematic core of Feeling Not Found delves deep into the anxieties of living in a hyper-connected world. Heagy’s lyrics tackle the emptiness of parasocial relationships in tracks like “Underneath My Skin,” where he questions the illusion of intimacy afforded by social media. Lines like “It’s meaningless to think that you know someone, you really don’t” resonate in an age where followers often feel like mere numbers rather than genuine connections.
However, the album isn’t solely an indictment of the digital realm; it also embraces the human experience. The opening track, “Lost Signal,” serves as a haunting reflection on grief, a departure from the band’s typical sound. The absence of drums amplifies the sense of loss, with Heagy utilizing the metaphor of a YouTube autoplay queue to convey the emptiness left in the wake of his cousin’s passing. This moment of vulnerability imbues Feeling Not Found with a necessary grounding, reminding listeners of the profound human experiences that lie beneath the surface.
Tracks like “Dirty Mirror Selfie” highlight Heagy’s journey toward self-acceptance, proclaiming, “All this time I wasted struggling fighting for things that I thought that I lacked.” It’s an anthem of reclamation that resonates deeply, encouraging listeners to seek fulfillment beyond the digital distractions that often dictate their worth.
Feeling Not Found is a profound evolution for Origami Angel, showcasing their ability to weave complex narratives into the fabric of catchy, emotionally charged pop-punk. While the album confronts the disorienting realities of modern technology and its effects on relationships, it simultaneously embraces the beauty of human connection and self-discovery.
In a world that often feels overwhelming, Heagy and Doherty remind us that it’s essential to seek authenticity amidst the chaos. With its biting lyrics, innovative sound, and genuine reflections on the human experience, Feeling Not Found stands as a testament to the state of pop-punk in 2024. It captures the struggles of being lost in a world that demands constant engagement while encouraging listeners to find solace and connection in the tangible moments of life. This album is not just about the noise; it’s about finding your voice amid it all.