The newest twist to emo music comes in the form of “Apiary”, the debut EP of self-described “internet emo band” gingerbee. Like the genres they use, gingerbee comes from a variety of backgrounds; including members from Ontario, California, South Carolina, Illinois, and Texas. A variety of musical influences set to love crossed lyrics makes for a delightful mix that’s sweet like honey and stings like a bee.

“Petal Dance” begins with an instrumental flourish. Strings, piano, saxophone, and trumpet all set the stage. The band then brings in the drums for our first verse. The organic mix of melodic sax, shining crash cymbals, and soaring strings is catchy and affectionate. Frontman Dani speaks to a partner or lover in flux.

“Don’t you know I’m fallin’ for you? /

So will that be enough?”

Dani questions his lover’s commitment, and his own potentially unrequited love. His longing is evident in the strain on his voice, a slightly panicked hope the love is mutual. Gingerbee doesn’t let the sweetness hang for long, and a screamo breakdown immediately smashes his hopeful tone. The emotion is so evident, it seems like the song explodes into unintelligible lyrics and distorted guitars almost unintentionally. Once again, gingerbee pivots, the crushing breakdown melting into a smooth samba with no warning. The lyrics flip between Spanish and English. Flutes, acoustic guitar, and a cuica serenade the listener, then transition into a final chorus. “Petal Dance” ends the same way it begins, with a classical wave and no answers for our longing frontman.

Multiple locations, genres, and languages all mix for this sparkling new EP. Audiences will find it a wonderful evolution from bands like Your Arms Are My Cocoon and Bedbug. Many of the instrumentals even nod to Black Country, New Road and the Windmill scene. Twisting these formulas with additional Latin influences sets gingerbee apart and establishes them as a new contributor to 2020s emo canon.