This is not your standard track-by-track album walkthrough. But then, Kaonashi are not your standard band. I Want to Go Home. is the Philadelphia outfit’s third album, and not only does it further the group’s deliberately challenging and weird musical discourse, it also continues—but also concludes—the concept and narrative that’s been at the center of their songs for a while now. Which is to say that what follows serves best as extra insight for those already versed in the story the band has been telling since their Why Did You Do It? LP back in 2018.
At the same time, however, it’s not at all necessary to know what’s happening in said story to enjoy these songs—so while it’s certainly worth diving into their back catalog and getting to know what’s going on, and of all the characters involved, just listening to and experiencing Kaonashi’s intensely individual take on post-hardcore and prog-metal is a unique and thrilling experience in itself.
So do a little research and some listening and lyric reading to immerse yourself in the Lemon House universe and get brought up to date on the story so far, then throw on this record, turn it up, and experience its conclusion in the only way you’re meant to—loudly, viscerally, violently. If you do, you’ll realize that beneath the in-your-face aggressive strangeness of the music, there’s a desperately poignant human story being told through this conceptually complex and powerfully moving record.
With the LP dropping last Friday via Equal Vision, check it out below along with the band’s insight on all 13 tracks.
1. “Confusion in a Car Crash”
Musically, this represents the exact moment where The Counselor kills Jackie B. Moore with the Blood Red Camry, which is essentially the catalyst for the entire Lemon House story.
2. “Fairmount Park After Dark”
It’s revealed that Taylor Oxford has witnessed the murder of Jackie and is running home in a state of panic, afraid that they might be next. It's heavy, dissonant, fast, and chaotic, so you can feel how the character felt in that moment. We were originally supposed to have Zeta on the song, but we got Piantini Toribio from Newcomer and he got the vision perfectly.
3. “Extra Prayers”
Musically, this song represents Taylor’s bus ride to school the day after witnessing the murder of Jackie.
4. “When I Say”
Taylor fakes sick so they don’t have to go to school and see The Counselor. This is one of the more post-hardcore-influenced songs on the album.
5. “J.A.M.I.E.”
Taylor sees the news about the death of Jackie on TV and finds out about his young sister, Jamie. He quickly becomes obsessed with Jamie. The song was completely written before Anthony Green featured on it; we just imagined his voice on it and asked him!
6. “Red Sink, Yellow Teeth”
Taylor starts devising their plan to befriend Jamie and essentially replace Jackie. This was really fun to write lyrics for because the beats are constantly changing.
7. “Slower Forms of Suicide”
Jamie and Taylor grow closer. Taylor reveals specific insecurities and details about their life to Jamie. The coast seems clear and their friendship seems normal. There’s a lot of different styles we tried on this song for the first time, and we think it paid off.
8. “Fly on the Wall (An Orange Sidewalk Paved Around Your Feet)”
Taylor is called to The Counselor’s office and is confronted. Taylor hesitantly explains how he feels, but still within the character trait of fear. This is one of the more straightforward songs, lyrically, where we felt like we were writing more of a script than a song.
9. “Elephant in the Room (If You Can Keep a Secret)”
The Counselor speaks back to Taylor, revealing their history back to the old school and how he switched to run from his past. Just like track eight, these lyrics feel like we were writing for a movie and not so much a song.
10. “The Sanguine I: Nevermind, Narcissist”
This song covers Taylor’s experience with Casey. The music reprises back to our song [“Passing Through the Hourglass” from 2024’s A Second Chance at Forever: The Brilliant Lies From Casey Diamond EP] and flashes forward to sophomore year for context since this album is from freshman year.
11. “The Sanguine II: Misguided Malice”
This is Taylor’s experience with Morgan. The song explains why Taylor feels the way they do toward Jamie; there’s a reprise to our song “M.O.R.G.A.N” [from 2018’s Why Did You Do It? LP] since it’s about the character (flash forward to junior year for context).
12. “The Sanguine III: Auditorium Annihilation”
Taylor’s experience with Jamie, the tragedy of senior year. This is a reprise of our song “Market Street” [from 2021’s Dear Lemon House, You Ruined Me: Senior Year LP], musically (flash forward to senior year for context).
13. “The Sanguine IV: Exit, Pt. IV (The Confession of Classroom 2114)”
This song represents Taylor reflecting back on everything that has happened, since this album is the conclusion of the story. Musically, it's a medley of all our “Exit” songs, one through six.
