On their debut EP, emo trio it could be worse are sharpening their teeth – and Erin Malone is sharpening her axe. The project opens with her crisp, twinkling guitar as singer-bassist Brittany Leaning explodes, “Get back, if I let you close/ I’m afraid I’ll explode.” ICBW plants their first flag with lyrics written seemingly for a diary, yet will surely be performed soon for a thrashing crowd.
Not even 20 minutes long, a door you close yourself is an introspective collection that looks back at the past, honors it, and then chooses to move forward. These new beginnings aren’t all easy – or ICBW wouldn’t be an emo band – but they are worth it, the EP concludes. “are you mad at me? lol” slowly confronts past embarrassments, with dynamic drumming from Reece Herrera that transitions into the American Football-esque follow-up “cousin, you’re scaring the normals.” These song titles suggest a general cloud of isolation hanging over the threepiece, but they are proud members of Austin’s DIY scene. “arnold house (dm for the address)” is an ode to the house venue and former home base of local bookers/recorders Tiny Sounds Collective, which ICBW played last before the collective moved. “this feels like a eulogy for something that’s still happening,” Leaning sings. For it could be worse, it’s only the beginning.
This article appears in July 3 • 2026.