First Review - Old Again's Broken People EP

First of all, thanks so much for reading this. As an aspiring Music Journalist it is essential I keep updating this blog to build a portfolio and by you reading what I have to say it really means a lot to me. I will hone my writing style in the coming months but here's a first attempt:

Broken People is what most people would call textbook pop-punk. Do not by any means let that deter you, Broken People is an example of a group of lads that understand a scene of music that has pulsated and swollen to levels people would not have dreamed of five years ago. What we find in this EP are five solid tracks that put Old Again in very good stead as a gem in a sometimes saturated scene.

The first track on the EP stamps the bands all important sound and feel for the album. I love the bands rhythmical precision in this song and throughout the EP as it gels the garage sounds of pop-punk with a musical understanding that begs for music making to be their career (stick out the day jobs guys).

The second track Fairweather Friend ft. Chris Koo keeps up the top gear speeed from which this EP doesn't come down from. There is stellar use of Chris Koo's vocals from Alive In Standby that complement Joshua Partridge like they were brothers. However, this song tends to fall stale pretty quickly. The Bob Loblaw Law Blog gives us a nice sprinkling of good old hardcore riffage towards the end of the track that is slightly reminiscent of A Day To Remember and other compatriots. The lead track off the EP Jenna is a piece of pop-punk gold I'm telling you. I'm not sure about you but I just listened to it and smiled; ear to ear... for the whole thing. From the broken chord lead guitar to the commanding drum beat, everything fits. A punk song about a girl, it simply can't get better. Lyrically, the songs are nostalgic and inviting. The mention of Sextape by Deftones is certainly nostalgic for me anyway.

The inclusion of Joel Quartuccio from Being As An Ocean in the last song (deep breath) Alaska Is North Patagonia Is South, But I'm Stuck Here is a masterstroke. The clean, ambient tone of the guitars adorning the bridge sections complement the sort of sound we are accustomed with hearing Joel sing with but in the same song incorporating the pop-punk elements that fuse this EP together, it makes for a truely interesting listen and a potential direction of choice for this band with only two EP's under their belt.

The only I can find would be repition of ideas which is so easy to find in the pop-punk. As a rock all rounder I see it all the time and I'm sure other listeners waived it just as I did.

Now, waiting game for another EP or potential LP awaits and with that comes the expectation too of which I have a lot! A damn solid debubt if you ask me.

8.5/10