Labels: self released
Review by: MH
I’ve been trying to work out what “austeros” means. I did a bit of internet research and it seems to be an inflection of some other word in either Greek or Latin. I got to some website and then it started asking me to sign up to some Bible subscription or something so I gave up. It might mean “bitter and harsh taste” but I can’t tell you for sure (EDIT: After all that, I’ve just discovered it is an “Arrested Development” reference). Anyway, this is some pop punk from a new Cheltenham band. They have a nice line in melody and don’t follow the generic pop punk blueprint which is good news. It also leans into power pop territory and the hints of melancholy give it something extra. It’s a promising start actually. I hear a bit of Crazy Arm in there although this is a lot lighter. I’d pick out opener “Eye To Eye” and last song “We Were Young” with its bigger chorus as the best songs. I’m not fully convinced by the second track but on the whole it’s a pretty good EP. Fits in nicely with the likes of Muncie Girls and Great Cynics.