Review by Shannon Shumaker
Bad Luck. have had quite the journey to their latest EP, Drug Phase, but it has been well worth waiting for. From their start as a solo project to the release of their first full-length album, Cold Bones in 2014 and subsequent hiatus following 2015’s Noise In Your Head EP, there has certainly been a hole in the pop-punk/emo scene for fans of the band, but Drug Phase is more than enough to hold us over… for now.
Taking a step back to their energetic, emotional and aggressive sound that they established on Cold Bones, Bad Luck. deliver fifteen minutes worth of hard hitting, vulnerable and catchy as hell tracks on Drug Phase. Kicking things off is the explosive opener, “Impressive Depressive,” which further cements the band’s place in the punk/emo scene, complete with gritty, emotional vocals, raw instrumentals and a chorus that’ll get stuck in your head. This is followed up only by the high energy “Mean Dudes” and the EP’s title track, which really shines vocally.
The poppy fourth song, “Sheep Song” leans toward the sound that can be found on Bad Luck.’s EP, Noise In Your Head with a more lighthearted and upbeat tone and feels like a breath of fresh air following the first three emotionally charged tracks. Both this track and the following “Wish We Still Talked” showcase some of vocalist Dominick Fox’s best vocal work on the album while “Wish We Still Talked” in particular is Bad Luck. at their best. The track is spearheaded by powerful, vulnerable lyrics, vocals that practically drip with emotion and a catchy melody that’ll worm its way into your head. Closing with the lighthearted “P.S. Wiffle Ball,” Drug Phase is a perfect snapshot of Bad Luck.’s versatility and ability to convey emotions in catchy, timeless songs.
Like Cold Bones and even Noise In Your Head, Drug Phase shows quite a bit of promise for Bad Luck. With their incredibly unique sound, relatable lyrical content and vocals that’ll rip out your heartstrings, Bad Luck. have what it takes to carve out their own little place in the scene, and I can’t wait to see where they go from here.
LISTEN TO: “Wish We Still Talked”
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