In the late 2000s and early 2010s, the alternative music scene underwent a neon-soaked mutation. The gritty guitars of post-hardcore and emo began fusing with aggressive electronic beats, giving birth to the polarizing yet undeniably infectious genre known as "crunkcore" or "electronicore." At the forefront of this sonic revolution was the Denver, Colorado duo Breathe Carolina. Composed of David Schmitt and Kyle Even, the band perfected the art of blending screaming vocals with dancefloor-ready synthesizers.
Digital Repacks and the Transient Materiality of Scene Music: A Case Study of Breathe Carolina’s Hello Fascination (Deluxe Edition 2010 Repack)
: A high-energy, hyper-melodic track that featured guest vocals from Jeffree Star and Austin Carlile (then of Of Mice & Men). This collaboration perfectly bridged the gap between the Myspace pop world and the heavy music scene.
So, what makes the 2010 deluxe edition re-pack of "Hello Fascination" still worth listening to today? Here are a few reasons:
If you were anywhere near the alternative scene in the late 2000s, you know exactly what time it is. It’s the era of neon skinny jeans, side-fringes, and a genre that defined a generation: breathe carolina hello fascination deluxe edition2010 repack
The deluxe edition adds six bonus tracks, which enhance the overall listening experience. These additional tracks offer more variety and depth to the album, with some notable highlights:
Today, the Hello Fascination (Deluxe Edition / 2010 Repack) serves as a time capsule. It’s loud, brash, unapologetically digital, and utterly nostalgic. Whether you were there for the “screamo meets house music” moment or discovering it a decade later, this repack delivers the definitive version of an album that helped define the wild, glitter-fueled edge of post-hardcore’s electronic evolution.
gave it 3.5/5 stars, praising its "bubblegum snappy melodies" and joyous feel. Conversely, The Punk Site
The Deluxe Edition also features several remixes, including reworks by esteemed DJs like Benga and Starvision. These tracks not only showcase the duo's versatility but also their willingness to experiment and push the boundaries of their sound. The Benga remix of "Gone," for example, injects a healthy dose of dubstep-infused energy into the original, creating a track that's both refreshingly new and true to the spirit of the source material. In the late 2000s and early 2010s, the
Kyle Even departed the group in 2013 to focus on his family, prompting a massive shift in the band's musical direction. David Schmitt chose to keep the Breathe Carolina name alive, transitioning the project from a live rock-synth hybrid act into a full-fledged, globe-trotting EDM production duo. Today, Breathe Carolina releases music on major dance labels like Spinnin' Records and performs at massive electronic festivals like Tomorrowland and EDC.
The album's influence can also be seen in its continued popularity among fans of the genre. "Hello Fascination" remains a staple of electronic dance music playlists, with its catchy hooks and infectious beats continuing to get people moving.
The Hello Fascination Deluxe Edition 2010 Repack never existed as an official product, but it perfectly captures a moment in digital music history:
| # | Track | Source | |---|-------|--------| | 1 | Hello Fascination | Album | | 2 | I.D.G.A.F. (Cash Cash Remix) | Single release (2010) | | 3 | The Birds and the Bees | Album | | 4 | Tripped and Fell in Portland | Album | | 5 | No Vacancy | Album | | 6 | Hello Fascination (Tommy Love Club Mix) | Promo CD (2009) | | 7 | The Grandson of Mr. Gently | Album | | 8 | Have a Nice Fiasco | Album | | 9 | Dressed Up to Undressed | Album | | 10 | The Dressing Room | Album | | 11 | Take Me to Your Friend’s House (Live @ Chain Reaction) | Bootleg (2010) | | 12 | I.D.G.A.F. (Acoustic) | Fearless Records sampler | | 13 | Hello Fascination (Dylan Sanders Remix) | Unreleased fan remix | Digital Repacks and the Transient Materiality of Scene
Warped Tour veterans, crunkcore apologists, and anyone who misses the sound of 20,000 kids jumping in unison to a pitched-up vocal hook.
By 2009, they stepped into a professional studio with acclaimed producers Mike Green (Paramore, All Time Low) and Matt Squire (The Maine, Panic! At The Disco). The result was a massive sonic leap forward. Hello Fascination retained the band's signature "scream-along" dynamics but wrapped them in polished, radio-ready pop production. The 2010 deluxe repack was curated to capture the height of this momentum, offering die-hard fans a wealth of new content, including rare b-sides, brand-new tracks, and dancefloor remixes. Analyzing the Deluxe Tracks and Bonus Material
2010 Genre: Electronic Rock / Synthpop / Post-Hardcore **Label:} Fearless Records