EP REVIEW: Freeze Frame High Five – Hedge

Power-pop meets pop-punk on HEDGE’s newest EP Freeze Frame High Five. The Massachusetts trio have been making waves since their debut album that came out in 2024 that showed off their take on the pop-punk genre, a sound that heavily focuses on loud, distorted guitars and catchy melodies, resulting in something that feels familiar yet somewhat fresh against the backdrop of the many artists that have come before them.

Opening things up is Hey Dude, that, in a quick summary, sounds like a blast from the 90s. What also stands out is how the overall song is infectious and catchy, but in a lowkey type of way, so it may not be attention grabbing but it suddenly would be the perfect thing to have on the background of a summer party.

Following this is Ice Rink, which opens with tuning and feedback before kicking off into pop-punk tune of a faster energy, yet still retaining that lowkey style they’ve come to establish. And with this track retaining that 90s influence, it’s no wonder you’ll find yourself bopping your head along involuntarily. This carries on into Little Joey And The Kangaroos that takes on a more melodic style with harmonies to match, creating something that’s fun and is almost guaranteed to lift your spirits.

However, the EP in the second half falls into the trap of sounding relatively repetitive. That’s not to say it sounds bad, but looking back it’s a little difficult to differentiate between the final three songs when you try to remember how they sound. But to be fair and to summarise; Hit The Road is pleasant sounding, and short but sweet, Snapple Cap is a chill but bouncy little number that you may find hard not to feel happy after listening, and My Valuable Hunting Knife, well there’s not much more we can say outside it sounds similar to other songs on the EP.

A pleasant EP, but one that maybe could do with a little more variety towards the end.

Rating: 7/10

Free Frame High Five is out now via Best Brother Records. 

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