By: Lindsy Carrasquillo
Over the years, Free Throw have carved out their own space within the midwest emo scene through their textured guitars and commanding vocal hooks that are personal, yet metaphorical at times. Their latest record, What’s Past Is Prologue, now out on Triple Crown Records, is no different. From going back to old choices in the album’s opening track—“had my first smoke in four years today / I wasn’t thinking about my voice /or the things that my poor mother would /say if she found out that I made this choice”—to anxieties that present themselves when trying to relax and lead to further spiraling feelings such as on lead single “The Corner’s Dilemma”. However, within the dark and deeply personal, the record pushes through to the process of having to build oneself back up after hitting rock bottom.
“This is the best record I’ve ever written,” frontman Cory Castro stated.
With a planned out narrative story and references to old songs done in order to “wrap up loose ends”, listeners can relate to Free Throw’s detailed struggle surrounding mental health and the difficulties it then leads to. One of Castro’s inspirations when it comes to songwriting is The Wonder Year’s lead singer and lyricist, Dan Campbell as he creates a narrative where you can “picture yourself in any song.”
“I like to focus on not using pronouns in songs so that people don’t have to change the lyrics when singing along,” Cory said, a choice that came up from hearing his sister sing along to songs and changing the pronouns.
While in the studio, some songs were hard to create asCastro had to “relive those feelings.” The track “You Don’t Say That” looks for ways to let go of a relationship that can no longer be held on to while the album’s midpoint, “Anaconda Vice”, moves toward accepting that self-medication is not a solution.
When taking care of his mental health, a big factor for Castro has been going to therapy.
“Just reaching out can be hard,” he said. “Mental health isn’t talked about enough and it needs to be treated as a normal part of health.”
This life change is reflected on the album’s closing title track as Castro sings “I learned to say ‘I love myself’ today /I finally learned to love myself” and throws away his pack of cigarettes, no longer questioning his choices in life.
If you are in need of mental health resources, you can click here for helpline resources.
