Blind Commentary Crank Up the Tension on “Trapped in the Walls”

by Scott Roos

Our Grade: B+

Saskatoon’s Blind Commentary continues carving out space in the prairie underground with the release of “Trapped in the Walls,” which dropped Feb. 11. The single marks the band’s first offering of 2026 and hints at a continued experimental direction ahead for the self-described "emogaze" outfit.

On this track, they don’t ease you in. They drop you straight into it.

“Trapped in the Walls” is all tension and texture. The guitars shimmer and collide, weaving intricate arpeggiated lines that feel restless and alive. There’s a constant push and pull. This is the kind of interplay that nods heavily in the direction of a band like American Football without sounding derivative. When the distortion surges around the 1:48 mark, the track levels up in a way that feels earned, not forced.

The drums are particularly compelling. They don’t simply lock into a groove; they swirl through the song like an additional melodic voice. It’s a bold choice that's more about feel than precision and it adds to the track’s chaotic charm.

Vocally, the delivery leans heavily into yells and screams, with a more melodic chorus cutting through briefly here and there. The performance fits the emotional weight of the song, though the mix buries the vocals deeper than it should. For a band built on emotional honesty, letting those words breathe would elevate the impact. This is a weakness in other releases from the band as well.

That being said, still, it’s messy, loud, and unapologetically felt - exactly the point.