REVIEW

The debut album from North Carolina–based solo artist Scarlet House.

Based in Charlotte, Scarlet House began releasing music in 2021 and has rapidly gained traction, particularly through TikTok, positioning himself as one of the more closely watched emerging names in the current wave of newgaze. His sound fuses heavy textures rooted in grunge and nu-metal with shoegaze atmospherics, while traces of hip-hop and R&B further broaden the palette—an approach that may remind listeners of acts such as Cold Gawd or Novulent.

Compared to those peers, the guitar tones here are somewhat drier and more restrained, but that choice works to highlight one of Scarlet House’s strongest assets: an emotive, glossy vocal presence. The contrast between weighty instrumentation and expressive vocals gives the material a sense of tension and clarity that carries much of the album’s impact.

While the record largely leans toward dense, heavy arrangements, #4 “Slowing Down” stands out as a welcome shift. With its reduced distortion and indie-pop leanings, the track functions as a moment of release within the tracklist. Its narrative-driven music video further reinforces its appeal and is well worth seeking out. Scarlet House - Slowing Down / Ghosts (Official Music Video)

The newly introduced tracks “Blind,” “Set Me Free,” and “Let Go” also suggest a step forward in sound design, with noticeably thicker layers and a more confident sense of production. In an increasingly crowded newgaze landscape, it remains to be seen whether Scarlet House will emerge alongside figures like Wisp or Novulent, but this debut makes a compelling case for his continued ascent.