EP REVIEW: Worse For Wear – Down Not Out

First releases are almost always a risk; it’s the first introduction to the world. DOWN NOT OUT are an upcoming pop-punk band from Cheltenham formed in early 2019, with inspirations of FALL OUT BOY, PARAMORE and LESS THAN JAKE. But with big inspirations comes great expectations.

Looking to such giants with fast paced songs and anthems, the EP itself holds itself back. It feels timid. There’s definitely pop-punk and ska influences but without all the charm and power. It’s pop-punk without the power. At times, when you think it’s about to explode, it fizzles out and leaves you wondering, what happened? A good example for this would be the title track, Worse For Wear. The beginning guitar intro sounds a lot like Coffee At Midnight by STAND ATLANTIC but with much less impact from Jo Oliver‘s vocals. The song feels very one note with the listener expecting it to pick up. However, the guitar does build but never fully takes off.

There is praise to be made however. Opening track, Arm Wrestling feels angry at an ex who won’t get the hint and go away. The lyrics are sharp, the guitars are fast and the drums are pounding – it’s just let down by the vocalist who almost comes off as whiney. The production is exceptional here and the harmonies near the end are great.

A lot of the issues here on the EP is that the tone never changes. The songs all sound the same, with the exception of Ghosting, an acoustic song which slows the pace down even more. Lyrically though, the EP is wonderful – with themes of not giving up and not being alone and fighting for yourself. The band even describes their music for “the underdog and their music is for anyone who has ever felt like they don’t fit in”. It’s angsty and sad but fails to deliver.

DOWN NOT OUT‘s debut EP Worse For Wear is just too safe sounding and, at times, very bland and boring with Jo Oliver not really delivering in the vocal department. However, as this band is very new and are probably still developing their sound, with time and practice, this band could become something good.

Rating: 4/10

Worse For Wear is out now via ScreamLite Records.

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