Review by Shannon Shumaker
It seems that every few years, the pop-punk genre is in need of a facelift, and hopefully Pittsburgh’s Eternal Boy will be the band to spearhead this one. The band’s high energy new album, Awkward Phase is an ode to the Drive-Thru era of pop-punk, with twelve high energy songs that’ll certainly set them apart from their peers.
The catchy, honest and energetic songs on Awkward Phase don’t fall into the same songwriting patterns or sounds as modern pop-punk bands, making Eternal Boy easy to pick apart from the pack. Opening track, “Clean Slate” offers the perfect intro, setting the tone for the songs to come with the declaration, “I’ve never wanted anything like I’ve wanted this,” before diving right into the emotional, “Growing Pains.” These songs are simply fun to listen to and sing-along worthy. With crisp vocals and honest lyricism, you’ll feel connected with the band immediately.
Throughout the first few tracks, Eternal Boy keep things high energy and fast-paced – exactly what pop-punk should be. These songs feel like they were written in the early 2000’s but instead find their place in 2017, right when we need to hear them the most. “Freak Show” is the perfect example of this, keeping the energy high but standing apart from “Growing Pains” lyrically as it takes on a more bitter, snarky tone when vocalist Rishi Bahl sings, “Tell me again how I fucked up your life/I’m calling you out now to tell you it’s over.”
Energy-wise, things do tend to stay on a very similar level from track to track as Awkward Phase moves forward, which in turn forces the Bahl’s vocal range to remain very similar as well. This is honestly one of the only weaknesses on the album, though and thankfully, a bit of diversity can be found halfway through on the song, “Eighteen.” This middle track is a nice change of pace, slowing things down and allowing for quite a bit of growth vocally. The harmonies on this song are a perfect finishing touch, proving that when the band does break the mold like this, they really do shine.
If you’re searching for the perfect album to keep your spirits high this summer, then look no further. Even the darker or more emotional songs on Awkward Phase are delivered with high spirits and catchy choruses. A great example of this is the lyrical contrast between the feel-good “7 Years Bad Luck” and the more personal, “Demons.” Both songs are worthy of blasting in the car and singing along with your friends, but where “7 Years Bad Luck” is about making the best of a bad situation, “Demons” is about taking care of your mental health. And honestly, that’s what makes Awkward Phase an essential pop-punk album. This album will remind you why you fell in love with the genre to begin with while giving you twelve new songs to blast at full volume for the rest of the summer.
LISTEN TO: “Freak Show” or “Eighteen”
STAY CONNECTED WITH ETERNAL BOY: https://www.facebook.com/EternalBoyMusic/