EP REVIEW: Full Free Radical – happydaze
Scottish alternative pop-punk band HAPPYDAZE are back with their latest EP Full Free Radical. Those heavily involved within the UK rock scene will likely have come across the quartet having been on tour with the likes of NECK DEEP and BOSTON MANOR. After releasing their debut EP last year, the band returned to their hometown of Edinburgh to make plans for the next stage and after working with a variety of musicians and producers whose credentials include the likes of GOOD CHARLOTTE, SUM 41, and PANIC! AT THE DISCO, we now have the final product which offers a unique take on the pop-punk genre.
As the EP opens with Faded the first thing of note is the alt-pop production with electronic synths and the style of vocals. Guitars gradually join in before everything kicks off with the full band, creating a vibe that could be compared to WHEATUS, i.e. unconventional pop-punk/pop-rock with experimentation of different sounds and styles. In short, HAPPYDAZE have created a pop-focused track that doesn’t go into ‘cheesy’ territory.
As the band move onto the title track, listeners are greeted with an intro that draws comparison to BLINK-182‘s Stay Together for The Kids before developing into an upbeat track with a catchy hook and lyrics. Cool Blue continues the trend of catchy pop-punk with electronic elements that just makes you want to bop along as it’s so fun. This one is most likely the highlight of the entire EP.
HAPPYDAZE have gone on record to acknowledge their inspiration from genres related to lo-fi and electronic pop, and that influence comes across especially on Day In And Out which is a rather laidback song with a calming vibe – well, at least in comparison to the earlier tracks. Furthermore, you can hear more influence from BLINK-182, specifically during their self-titled era. Things don’t stay calm for long as the record moves onto Thinkinofu that appears to be heavily inspired by 2010s pop-punk bands like REAL FRIENDS and GRAYSCALE, complete with a mini electronic breakdown during the bridge.
The final two tracks of the EP move into electronic rock territory with both having their own unique twist; Heaven You Felt uses a drum and bass style yet is able to draw comparison to NECK DEEP’s Serpents through the vocal style, and Same To Me has a dark, cool vibe that is actually quite reminiscent of GRIMES, along with elements from BRING ME THE HORIZON’s That’s The Spirit through their use of synths and female backing vocals.
Overall, Full Free Radical is a fantastic EP that offers a slightly darker version of the pop-punk/pop-rock genre through HAPPYDAZE‘s use of dark pop and electronic styles, and it’s hard not to love every moment of it.
Rating: 9/10
Full Free Radical is out now via Thriller Records.
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