I’m struggling to find good new music lately. New music that I can happily listen to over and over again and not get bored of, or find something new about it that makes me more interested. And then I check my emails and I have Transit’s new album. Bear in mind I’ve never heard of Transit before, this is a completely new band to me. So I put on the album and straight away I’m hooked, I’m listening intently and not just because I have to review it.  As the album continues on there are tracks that have weight to them beyond the normal song you’d hear, and I’m struggling to find words to emphasize why if you haven’t listened to this album yet, you should.

I’m not going to lie, as ‘Nothing Lasts Forever’ started I thought it was going to be one of those stereotypical American bands with the overly done accent that makes it hard to take seriously. Then the whole band kicked in and it all fits, everyone moulds together and the song is a whole. I hear influences from Jimmy Eat World, and other bands that surpassed the emo phase.

As ‘Second To Right’ starts it becomes obvious this isn’t just any standard album. I love hearing albums where you can sing along to every song within 1 listen, and Joe Boynton’s voice makes it almost immediately accessible to do just that.

Listening to ‘Young New England’ it’s obvious why this has been chosen for the album title; a great name on its own, but this song is amazing. I love this song, I’ve had it on repeat and love it more every time. When songs are immediate anthems – whether to yourself or to every listener – you know the band have done something right. This is going to be a hit, definitely live, and hopefully commercially.

‘So Long, So Long’ has that feel to it that just lets you enjoy it. Boynton’s delivery draws you in and holds you in the slower moments, while the chorus’ and faster parts are so catchy you’ll be singing it all day.

There’s no stopping the catchy, immediately memorable chorus’ with ‘Weathered Souls’, it seems Transit don’t want you to forget any of their songs. The tone is slowed down for ‘Hang It Up’, which shows that these guys can write the type of slow song that you can sit back and take in. No time to relax with ‘Don’t Go, Don’t Stray’, which has the same feel as ‘So Long, So Long’, a feel good fast paced summer anthem.

A step back from the more in your face style songs, ‘Thanks For Nothing’, ‘Summer, ME’, and the slower, more downbeat ‘Hazy’ show more heart to Transit and their relentless hooks. Not for long though, with ‘Bright Lights, Dark Shadows’ showing their more prominent colours.

‘Lake Q’ is exactly what I’d expect from an album closer. Not too slow to bring the feel down, but a heartfelt delivery with the catchy chorus you’d expect from Transit.

Listening to new music is always a bit hit or miss, but this has definitely been a hit. Transit are the type of band that have grown and matured from pop punk and grown into their sound. As soon as I saw these guys were signed to Rise Records I was surprised, they’re not the stereotypical band you’d hear from them, but they obviously have something about them to make such a different type of label sign them. This is the album I’m going to be listening to with my friends this summer when we’re drinking, reminiscing, and having fun, and it’s the perfect accompaniment. Transit are the feel good band that you need when you’re having fun with your friends.

5/5

‘Young New England’ by Transit is out now on Rise Records.

Transit links: Website|Facebook|Twitter

Words by Callum McPhee (@Callum0510)