As Everything Unfolds - Did You Ask To Be Set Free?
- Mikey Jablonski
- 2 days ago
- 4 min read
As Everything Unfolds are back with Did You Ask To Be Set Free?, following up on probably one of the best records, Ultraviolet, a record that really started to push them into the spotlight. But this record leans heavier at times, with way more experimentation, and continues to build on the momentum they’ve been gaining over the last few years. There are some really good gems on this one that I think will stand out quite a lot for them.
Right from the start, “Denial” hits as one of the strongest openers the band has put out to date, in my opinion. It’s got that hard rock edge that immediately pulls you in, and honestly, it stands as one of the best tracks on the entire record. The energy carries into “Gasoline,” which brings a more groovy, fun chorus while still sitting nicely in that post-hardcore/metalcore space. It's a track that has sat well as a single, and from the streams I see on music platforms, it landed well with both sides of their fanbase.
“Point of View” keeps things driving with those hard rock guitars, even if it leans a bit repetitive at times, but doesn’t overstay its welcome. Then you get into “Find Another Way.” The lyrics hit hard, and that instrumental solo section in the middle really ties everything together, almost like a ballad, one of those songs you find yourself going back to more than expected, I would say.
“Cut the Lies” feels like it was built for a live setting. You can already picture a crowd clapping along with the kick drums, and the small details like the whisper and the talking sections from Charlie which add a cool dynamic. It genuinely feels like a track the band had a lot of fun writing, especially with the guitar and drum work. This one has festival energy written all over it. Even as a creative myself, I would think capturing video of this song would be perfect as a highlight video for the band. Can’t wait to see the videos on social media for this one.
“Set in Flow” picks things right back up with a heavier tone after a more mild song in “Break It Away,” which features fun guitar moments. You will feel like doing the good old two-step dance for you hardcore kids at the start, and the middle of this song, and some interesting drum and synth elements are layered in.
“What You Wanted” is easily one of the highlights of the album. The chorus is super catchy but does give a bit repetitive, but the feature with Dani Bates from Bury Tomorrow balances that out, especially really well with Charlie’s vocals. It stands up there for me as one of the best songs on the record alongside “Denial,” and just behind that, “Reverie.”
Well “Idols” brings a more of that chaotic, heavier energy, especially in the back half with Charlie’s screams, but at times feels like it’s still figuring out what it wants to be like a less of “What You Wanted” especially in the chorus that I have trouble on what it wants to be. It hits hard, but doesn’t feel as focused as some of the stronger tracks on this record.
“Reverie” feels like the band experimenting the most on the album, and it links to what Charlie spoke with me about when I got to chat with her on the podcast, and well, it pays off. Since after talking to Charlie, I’d say its now my favourite track on this record as it has a grove that pulls you in, its that rock energy that they are so good at and similar to how “Daylight” felt on Ultraviolet, this could end up being a underrated sleeper song like “Daylight” was, but I hope this one gets more love this time around.
Towards the end of the record, things slow down a bit with “Edge of Forever,” leading into more of the emotional side of the album. “Setting Sun” closes things out on a meaningful note, especially when Charlie mentioned to me the context and meaning of this song when we talked, being tied to their late drummer, I totally get why they made it the last song. It’s not a full ballad, but definitely a softer, more reflective track that carries a lot of weight once you understand the story behind it. If anyone has a similar story about a loved one they have lost, it really got me in the heartstrings knowing the context behind it after she mentioned it. As I’m a big fan of this band, I totally get why she made it, as well.
Overall, Did You Ask To Be Set Free? feels like a band continuing to evolve while building off the momentum of their past. Where the last record felt like a breakthrough record, this one feels like a statement that they’re not slowing down anytime soon, now and finally just enjoying making music. There’s a good mix of heavy tracks, experimental moments, and songs clearly built for live shows, especially in festival settings, as they are very known to play in Europe.
If Ultraviolet was the record that introduced a lot of people to As Everything Unfolds, this feels like the one that can push them even further into the more metalcore genre. With the right touring and I think the right promotion behind it, this could easily be another step for the band to go in for this record cycle. We will see if the band get a good offer from a North American slot at a festival or a tour at some point for this record cycle, as this one feels the next step towards that now for more reach.
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