Back to Normal, a newly formed pop-punk trio out of Virginia, have released their début EP ‘Hold Your Own.’ Full of classic pop-punk sounds and just the right mix of strong vocals and fun music, this début release hits all the right marks.

From the outset, this EP hits you with unmistakable pop-punk: fast, poppy guitars with just enough edge to keep it interesting, chant-y singing and group yelling – you get everything you expect from a pop-punk outfit. Being female-fronted, this band already stands out, and vocalist and bassist Sarah Camden has the perfect voice for this style of music. It’s not too feminine and has enough power to go up against the strong instruments. Camden’s band mates contribute backing vocals, adding another layer to their sound.

Back to Normal brings a bit more edge than your typical pop-punk outfit, leaning more towards the punk side of things. ‘#sorrynotsorry’ has gritty guitars and some hardcore screaming in the middle, bringing heavy elements that balance out the pop sensibilities of ‘The Let Down.’

‘Hold Your Own’ accomplishes what many bands fail at; a collection of balanced tracks that sound uniquely different from each other but are still able to come together to create a coherent EP. ‘Keep Virginia Beautiful’ follows the heavier ‘#sorrynotsorry,’ and has soft vocals and acoustic guitars with back-and-forth vocals that create a simple, pretty song that showcases a different aspect of the band’s strengths.

However, the band still has a few things to work on. Even though they already stand out with their female vocalist and strong harmonies, at times this band ends up sounding a little bit like songs we’ve heard before. They need to carve out their own place in the pop-punk world and really develop their own sound. At other moments, the songs sound rushed, and strengthening vocals and tightening up transitions will help to bring this band a more polished, sophisticated sound.

‘Hold Your Own’ is a strong pop-punk EP that is surprisingly strong for a début effort. Back to Normal brings strong vocals and fast-paced, interesting guitars and drums to create a fun EP that gives us a peek into what this band is capable of. But this band does need a little more time to develop. A few months working on their sound will really help this band stand out in this genre.

3.5/5

‘Hold Your Own’ by Back To Normal is released on 9th October through Apparition Records.

Back To Normal links: Facebook|Twitter

Words by Jenny Gagas.