The Callous Daoboys Embrace a New Sound with “Lemon”

Mathcore outfit The Callous Daoboys have built their reputation on chaos—unpredictable compositions, frenetic energy, and emotionally charged lyricism. But with their latest single, ‘Lemon,’ the band takes an unexpected turn, embracing melody and pop influences while retaining their raw emotional core. The result? A song that challenges expectations and may divide listeners.

Speaking about the new single, vocalist Carson Pace says, quoted by Distorted Sound Mag:

“some people are going to love this one, some people are going to hate this one, it’s just the reality of things. Lemon represents every frustration that you’ve ever had with a judgmental lover who wants you to give up on your art. Lemon says ‘fuck that, you didn’t love me anyway’.”

Lyrical Themes: A Study in Existentialism and Alienation

At its core, “Lemon” is a song steeped in themes of existential disillusionment, personal discontent, and the struggle to find meaning in relationships and artistic pursuits.

The song opens with an almost mundane yet symbolically loaded image—squeezing the juice out of an overpriced lemon in an unfamiliar city. This seemingly trivial act sets the stage for a broader theme: the feeling of being out of place, surrounded by superficiality, and grappling with a sense of emotional depletion.

Lines like “I squeeze the fluid of our love / Out of a lemon we paid too much for” suggest a metaphorical draining—whether of a romantic relationship, creative passion, or even life itself. The narrator’s disdain for “LA friends” and their hollow conversations reinforces a deep-seated frustration with superficial social dynamics, culminating in a visceral reaction against their irreverence toward religion.

“Now if I was in the ocean with an open wound / I wouldn’t pray against Jonah’s fate of being consumed
I’d just sink to the siphonophore and hope it grows into my viscera / And at low tide
I know you’ll be tempted to pull my body out and use me as an example / But I’m one with the earth and a pagan god in my temple (In my temple)“

As the song progresses, the frustration deepens—what begins as discontent with superficiality evolves into a full-blown existential crisis. The bridge introduces biblical and deep-sea imagery, with the narrator rejecting salvation, resigning instead to being consumed like Jonah in the belly of the beast.

The mention of a siphonophore—an organism composed of many individual parts functioning as a whole—mirrors the song’s themes of fragmentation and loss of self.” ending with the powerful assertion: “I’m one with the earth and a pagan god in my temple.”

Musical Composition: A Shift in Musical Direction

Unlike their usual frenetic compositions, “Lemon” adopts a smoother, more structured approach. The instrumentation leans heavily on clean guitar tones, a steady rhythmic pulse, and an infectious groove.

The bassline carries a notable prominence, adding depth to the song’s danceable feel. Carson Pace’s vocals, typically known for their raw aggression, take on a more restrained and melodic tone, showcasing his versatility.

Despite its more accessible sound, “Lemon” still maintains the band’s penchant for dramatic builds. The song’s latter half gradually intensifies, culminating in a powerful closing chorus where heavier guitar layers and emphatic vocal delivery drive home the emotional weight of the track.

Reception and Fan Reactions

“Lemon” has sparked mixed reactions from listeners. Some fans appreciate the band’s willingness to explore new musical landscapes, praising its catchy melodies and atmospheric approach. Others, however, feel it strays too far from the intensity that defines The Callous Daoboys’ sound.

Critics have noted the band’s ability to seamlessly blend different styles, with some comparing “Lemon” to the work of bands like The Armed and Dance Gavin Dance, known for their genre-bending tendencies. The song’s unexpected direction has left fans curious about what this shift means for the band’s future releases.

Conclusion

“Lemon” is a bold move for The Callous Daoboys, proving that they are not afraid to challenge expectations.

Whether “Lemon” is a fleeting experiment or the start of a new era, The Callous Daoboys have proven they won’t be boxed in. Love it or hate it, the song showcases a band willing to evolve, challenge expectations, and redefine what mathcore can be. If “Lemon” is any indication, their future is as unpredictable as their music—and that’s exactly what makes them exciting.

For those who wants to hear the song firsthand, the song is accompanied by a music video on Youtube.

The Callous Daoboys – “Lemon” Lyrics

[Verse]
(One, two, three)
I squeeze the fluid of our love
Out of a lemon we paid too much for
In some city we don’t belong in
That neither of us are from
And I hate all your LA friends
I got a sick set of hives from their conversations
And if they keep talking about my God like that
I think that I’ll just

[Chorus]
I can’t recall your heartbeat ever speeding up
For you the taste is so much better than the pump

[Verse]
Now if I was in the ocean with an open wound
I wouldn’t pray against Jonah’s fate of being consumed
I’d just sink to the siphonophore and hope it grows into my viscera
And at low tide
I know you’ll be tempted to pull my body out and use me as an example
But I’m one with the earth and a pagan god in my temple (In my temple)

[Chorus]
I can’t recall your heartbeat ever speeding up
For you the taste is so much better than the pump
I should’ve been banking all those breaths you took
Instead my lungs just fill with beige and classic coke

[Verse]
Your mother saw me waiting tables and she asked if I was doing that “band thing” still
I always finish what I start but I guess it’s been almost a decade of this
I know I’d never speak to you that way, ey
So I hope I never speak to you again

[Chorus]
I can’t recall your heartbeat ever speeding up
For you the taste is so much better than the pump
I should’ve been banking all those breaths you took
Instead my lungs just fill with beige and classic coke