The debut album from Harbingers, Liminal, is the kind of Midwest emo record that doesn’t just scratch the itch—it sinks in and lingers. Based in Great Bend, KS, the band takes the familiar hallmarks of the genre and layers them with a maturity that feels rare for a first release. There’s angst, sure, but it’s not the reckless, teenage rebellion kind. Instead, Liminal leans into introspection, carving out space for the kind of reflection that comes with growing up but never quite growing out of feeling everything deeply.
From the opening notes of Strawberry Melatonin, it’s clear Harbingers are working with more than just the standard emo playbook. A hint of shoegaze drifts through the track, setting the stage for an album that knows when to be delicate and when to break. The real standout, though, is the production—clean, but not too clean. The mix by Blake Loggans and Ethan King strikes a balance between polish and raw emotion, allowing the live energy of the band to bleed through while giving each song a weight and clarity that elevates the experience.
There are plenty of moments that make Liminal feel fresh within the emo landscape. Do You Get to the Cloud District Very Often showcases Hammeke’s vocals in a way that feels both immediate and effortless. Girl in Red leans into stripped-down simplicity, proving that emo poetry doesn’t need to be complicated to be devastatingly effective. The Hammer (He’s Real) drops in a clever, unexpected guitar lick that subtly shifts the energy of the song, while You’re Sorry, I’m Not stands out as one of the most dynamic moments on the album—layered, evolving, and completely captivating. Interestingly, this track almost didn’t exist in its current form. Originally envisioned as a heavy, hardcore-driven song, it went through several revisions before landing in its final version. Hammeke recalled, “I wanted it to be this heavy hardcore sound with the drums just going crazy all the time. It sounded terrible haha. The band wasn’t a fan and asked me to fix it. After months of revisions, I saw Tree Kitty live and was heavily inspired by their sound. So I rewrote the lyrics and added a lil psychedelic breakdown at the end as a nod to them. Now it’s one of our favorite tracks.”
And then there’s Dance in the Rain, a final release of energy that closes out the album with the kind of catharsis that leaves you staring at the ceiling long after the last note fades. It feels like the perfect ending—one that doesn’t just wrap things up but makes you want to press play again.
One of the biggest takeaways from Liminal is how badly it makes me want to see Harbingers live. These songs feel built for a tight, intimate venue, where every lyric can be shouted back at full volume. There’s a chemistry between the band members that shines through in the music, and knowing that their creative process is so collaborative only makes the album feel more alive. Hammeke may be the primary lyricist, but each member brings something unexpected to the mix, ensuring that no song ever feels one-dimensional.
Hammeke shared that the band’s origins trace back to a college music theory class, where he met lead guitarist Joseph Price. A shared love for music led to jam sessions with Joseph and his brother Michael, eventually forming the foundation of Harbingers. “They always come up with ideas I never would have thought of,” Hammeke explained, highlighting the group’s complimentary styles.
As much as the songwriting shines, the production elements also stand out. Hammeke noted, “If you’ve seen our live shows before and then listen to our EP, you’ll notice every song is a lil different. Our producers Blake Loggans and Ethan King did a fantastic job recommending these little changes to our songs that just make the songs sound more exciting and fresh.”
For a debut, Liminal is a statement—a reminder that Midwest emo still has places to go, and Harbingers are ready to push it forward. It’s an album that doesn’t just capture a moment but creates one, leaving its mark in a way that’s hard to shake.
Harbingers:
Logan Hammeke- Vocals/ Rhythm Guitars
Joseph Price- Lead Guitar
Michael Price- Drums
Dylan Jecha- Bass
