REVIEW: Model/Actriz - Swan Song
A display of excellence that peaks far too early.
14:01 // March 23, 2026 // True Panther
How can something so dark and horrifying be so dancey? It’s a question that comes up quite often with Model/Actriz. The group’s unique blend of industrial-tinged dance-punk with hauntingly melodic vocals has been one of the most captivating musical evolutions of this decade, and Swan Songs continues that trend. Only less than a year after their astounding second full-length Pirouette, the 15-minute EP picks up right where they left off with the chaotic groove of opener “Glassman.” Its pulsating rhythm and clashes of electronic elements are perfectly contrasted by the affectionate lyrics of spending a weekend getaway with a lover, delivered in a manner that feels isolated from the abrasiveness of the surrounding soundscape. The eerie dissonance between the instrumentation and delivery creates an unnerving experience that embodies the identity of Model/Actriz with excellence.
But this is where Swan Songs pulls the punches too early. While moody and beautiful, “Thank You By Dido” feels more like hitting the breaks too hard than a natural break in the chaos. Certainly the atmosphere is full of reverb-laden, distant-sounding guitar passages and a phenomenal vocal performance from Cole Haden leading to a tense and stress-inducing bridge, yet it doesn’t hit quite as hard following the intensity of the opener. “Majesty” brings back the horror-tinted tone with a cacophony of numerous dissonant chord progressions and ringing, bell-like basslines balanced out by the quieter, spacious chorus, but not nearly as compelling as “Glassman.” This is not to say that either of these songs is bad by any means; they accomplish exactly what they each set out to do for their respective sounds. However, the EP peaks too early, leaving the final tracks pale in comparison to the explosive and captivating opener. Nonetheless, Model/Actriz continues to build and refine their infectious dance-punk/rock, showcasing the immense amount of potential and variety they have within their songwriting that can be further expanded upon in the future.
7.5/10