Semi Constructive Criticism inspired illustration - circa survive

The music of Circa Survive has always been deeply visual for me. Their blend of post-hardcore, progressive rock, and emo creates a sound that feels like both an unraveling and a release. With Semi Constructive Criticism from their 2007 album On Letting Go, the lyrics explore themes of emotional detachment, miscommunication, and the slow disintegration of a relationship, which I wanted to capture visually.

The Inspiration Behind the Art

One line stood out to me immediately,
"We disconnect like this is the end."

That imagery of a connection fraying, of two people wrapped in each other but ultimately not able to make it work, became the foundation for this illustration. The two figures, one male and one female, are wrapped in tangled electrical cords, orbiting each other but never plugging in.

Throughout the song, Anthony Green delivers lines like,

"Your feelings were sacrificed for a greater cause."
"Set your mental alarm if you think it's safe to rely on."

There’s a push and pull here, a struggle between wanting to hold on and feeling forced to let go. It reminded me of how some relationships feel like they’re spiraling, with no real resolution, just tension evolving into more distance.

A Visual Take on Post-Hardcore Emotion

I love how bands like Circa Survive, Saosin, Thrice, and The Fall of Troy bring visual elements into their music through layered instrumentals and poetic lyrics. With this piece, I wanted to mirror that feeling, chaotic yet beautiful, tangled yet distant.

This artwork was a challenge (seriously, you can see my struggles with the composition in my Instagram reel), but I’m so happy with how it turned out.

Let’s Connect

If you’re a fan of Circa Survive, emo, post-hardcore, or just emotionally charged art, I’d love to hear your thoughts! You can follow me on Instagram @drawn_to_noise, check out more of my artwork on drawntonoise.com, and if you're interested in prints, I just launched an Etsy shop at www.etsy.com/shop/drawntonoise. No pressure, just putting it out there!

Let me know, what’s your favorite Circa Survive song?