EP REVIEW: There’s Hope In Hopeless – Honeytalks

Upcoming pop-punk band HONEYTALKS have just released their second EP There’s Hope In Hopeless. The Welsh trio have only been together for just under two years, yet in that short time have already received praise for their nostalgic pop-punk sound that takes you straight back the 90s and 00s. With support and airplay from the likes of BBC Introducing and Kerrang! Radio, there seems to be little slowing them down now.

There’s Hope In Hopeless is a short but sweet collection of pop-punk songs that offer the listener feelings of hope and positivity that things will work out, even in some of the more difficult scenarios depicted in lyrics that cover mental health and frustration towards being misunderstood. Opening with Super 8, the record kicks off with a mini electronic intro that then jumps straight into the full band performing what could be considered their signature fast pop-punk sound that somehow feels both nostalgic yet at the same modern in terms of trends within the current scene. With smooth vocals, an anthemic chorus and catchy lyrics that fill you with motivation, things have started out strong.

The energy continues in Familiar Times, once again a fast, feel-good pop-punk track with a bouncy chorus that ties everything together nicely as one can easily imagine a lively crowd jumping and singing along to every word. However, this is where things start to get repetitive. Bite Again is another feel-good pop-punk song, but while it’s a decent track with another mix of nostalgia and modern sounds, as well as lovely mini breakdown, it’s also where you might find that things start to sound the same and it becomes slightly difficult to differentiate between songs when looking back.

That’s not to say that you’ll be bored or frustrated when listening, as this is a fun and positive EP, but you might wish that they could add something unique to each song to make them stand out more. That said, it’s clear that this is the sound that they excel at, and given they’ve been together for less than two years, HONEYTALKS have time to further tweak and work with different styles. This is especially highlighted in 21 that draws immediate comparison to the debut SIMPLE PLAN record with albeit slightly generic tropes; it’s catchy and you find yourself easily bopping your head along throughout. And then the band finish things off with Cya, a one-minute and 40-second track with a bouncy bass that is fast and straight to the point, and a decent way to conclude a fun EP.

There’s Hope In Hopeless is a feel-good EP that, while not entirely unique, is fun and will allow you to escape your worries. More than anything, HONEYTALKS have confirmed to us what they’re good at and what they need to do now is perhaps branch slightly out of their comfort zone.

Rating: 7/10

There’s Hope In Hopeless is out now via Affiant Records.

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