ALBUM REVIEW: Imposter Syndrome – Action/Adventure
Most bands have a certain amount of self-doubt from time to time, but the crazy thing is that ACTION/ADVENTURE still can’t believe that they are actually here. After eight years nestled firmly into the infectious pop-punk scene, they have most definitely earned their place as one of the most exciting and promising bands in the industry. The Chicago-based five-piece recently had their breakthrough moment; they were signed to Pure Noise Records as a result of their unexpected explosion on TikTok, generating over 60,000 views on their track Barricades in just 24 hours – impressive stuff.
Following on from their debut EP Pulling Focus, ACTION/ADVENTURE are back only a year later with their first album release Imposter Syndrome. However, their united feeling of imposter syndrome doesn’t end with their unexpected social media success; they are also a BIPOC band in a predominantly white pop-punk scene, adding even further layers to their identity and visibility as a band. This wasn’t an intentional move by ACTION/ADVENTURE though, as backing vocalist and guitarist Brompton Jackson explains; “We’re just a band. We’re a group of people playing music that we like to listen to and that we like to write–and we just all happen to be people of color. It was an accident, it wasn’t planned.”
This album is more than just a new body of work for the band; it’s speaking their truth about being a completely BIPOC pop-punk band in the industry today. First up is the title track Imposter Syndrome, which is a one-minute 37-second introductory piece, perfectly summing up what this album’s themes are all about in an absolute belter of an opener. Save Yourself immediately grabs our attention with a form of addictively infectious pop-punk which is just irresistible. The chorus completes this track, getting us singing along from the first listen. Featuring a fantastic instrumental breakdown near the end which is short and sweet yet totally fitting, this track closes in the best way possible.
Autopilot is up next and it carries on with the energetic themes of the previous but with the incorporation of darker lyrical content. The band seemingly consider themselves in a quarter-life crisis with no idea where to go next. This is a song which is both relatable and catchy, leaving us hanging onto every word. 3818 is the first song that doesn’t keep us engaged on this release, which is a real shame. Even though the energy is undoubtedly there, the chorus seems a little lacklustre in comparison.
Losing Streak starts off with yet another thrilling pop-punk style riff, with further personal, emotional lyrics at the helm. Vocalist Blake Evaristo sings about the music industry as a whole, not knowing who to trust as the band becomes bigger in the scene. Whilst there is no doubt that the lyrical content makes ACTION/ADVENTURE that much more vulnerable, this song is just like the last. Even though this song could be considered to be one of the most personal on the album, the raw emotion just doesn’t come through with Evaristo‘s vocal performance, unfortunately. FNFB is in a similar vein, whilst Levity and Carolina Reaper are the tracks that we all needed at this point in the release. The choruses are so memorable and infectious, giving fans old and new a taste of what the band can really do in two sure-fire highlights.
Frozone, True King In The North is another catchy belter of a track, managing to keep our attention this late into the album. The closer is Wanderlust, which is a little bit underwhelming. Perhaps the band could have ended Imposter Syndrome on a high with a song like Carolina Reaper – that would have been more of a solid ending.
Overall though, this album is a good effort considering it is only the band’s debut album release. There are a number of sure-fire bangers on here such as Levity, Autopilot and Carolina Reaper. On the other hand, the remaining tracks lack longevity but still manage to pack a punch with the heartfelt, honest lyrics about the trials and tribulations of being a BIPOC band in the pop-punk scene. Whilst we would say that this album is a complete mixed bag, there is enough substance throughout to excite fans about what’s to come in the future.
Rating: 7/10
Imposter Syndrome is set for release on November 11th via Pure Noise Records.
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