This is a pop punk record, pure and simple. A throwback to the best days of Drive-Thru, grounded in the present. As It Is sound like a duet between The Wonder Years and The Early November. They’re not that good, obviously. Nothing could ever be that good. That would be daft. But they’re bloody good without collapsing all space and time.

‘Bitter Broken Me’ starts the party. Dual vocals, fast verses, riffy choruses, a cool breakdown. It might seem pop punk by numbers, true. In being so, though, it’s uninhibited by any pretentions. It is what it is and what it is almost definitely contains a deliberate homage to The Early November ( “Ever so sweeeet” ). ‘Horoscopes’ is the same but there’s a gruffer edge to the vocals. It has another slow breakdown that might be cheesy or might be brilliant, depending on your exact mood at the time of listening. I’ve enjoyed it though, a good shout along section rarely goes awry.

Over four tracks, there’s not much more to say. If you’re a pop punk fan you’ll probably enjoy this. If you’re not it’s not going to change your opinion. Take ‘Can’t Save Myself’ for instance; it’s a song about the difficulties of growing up. There’s a clean vocal and a rougher vocal. It’s hopeless but it’s happy. Certainly not breaking the arbitrary boundaries of genre. Last track ‘Relive This Story’ disappoints a little. A slower song with a big, sad chorus isn’t a bad thing but it always feels tagged on to a shorter record like this; a grand emotional gesture that didn’t need making. It’s a strong track but it takes the edge off the first three.

As It Is have made a great EP. It’s simple and never denies what it is. It’s an enjoyable listen from a band that promises many more to come.

3.5/5

‘This Mind Of Mine’ EP by As It Is is out now.

As It Is links: Facebook|Twitter

Words by Thomas Knott (@thislifeishuge)