Citizen

Citizen combine bombastic emo-pop, post-hardcore, shoegaze, punk, and thick, chunky indie rock into an original Midwestern blend. Emerging in the early 2010s, the Toledo-based outfit has released a steady stream of dynamic, high-energy efforts like Everybody Is Going to Heaven (2015), Life in Your Glass World (2021), and Calling the Dogs (2023) that are as singular as they are wide-ranging.
With members hailing from Southeast Michigan and Northwest Ohio, Citizen formed in 2009 and quickly hit the ground running, releasing three 7″ singles and an EP titled Young States. Signing to Run for Cover Records, they released their first full-length album, Youth, in the summer of 2013 just before joining that year’s Vans Warped Tour. After issuing the single “Silo” in late 2014, the band announced the release of their sophomore LP, the well-received Everybody Is Going to Heaven, which appeared in June 2015. Working with longtime producer Will Yip, Citizen began to expand their sound with additional instrumentation and sonic experimentation on their third album, As You Please, which arrived in 2017. January 2021 saw the release of the punchy single “I Want to Kill You” ahead of the emo experimentalist’s fourth long-player, Life in Your Glass World. Former touring members Ben Russin (drums) and Mason Mercer (guitar) joined Mat Kerekes (vocals) and brothers Nick (lead guitar) and Eric Hamm (bass) on the group’s fifth long-player. Released in 2023, Calling the Dogs saw Citizen deliver a passionate set of distortion-heavy anthems and ballads that touched on all of their different sonic predilections. ~ Jason Lymangrover