EP REVIEW: Not For Everyone – I Call Fives
New Jersey natives I CALL FIVES have just put out their latest EP, Not For Everyone. The band themselves have just come back from a seven-year hiatus and this is their first release of the year with more to come in the coming months. Before their hiatus they had released a series of EPs and one full-length whilst extensively touring with the likes of THE WONDER YEARS, STATE CHAMPS and THE STORY SO FAR, along with an appearance on the hallowed Warped Tour.
It’s clear from the EP that the vast majority of the bands they toured with have influenced their sound which, whilst not a bad thing in general, means they seem to rely on familiarity as opposed to offering something unique. It starts out so strong with the title track that begins with an early rendition of the chorus that has that slight cheesiness, but that’s what makes it fun, before kicking off fully as a fantastic pop-punk track entirely reminiscent of early NECK DEEP and THE STORY SO FAR. Furthermore, what makes this song entirely more stunning is the switch up in the narrative from being about self-love and how they won’t change for anyone into a story of telling someone that they’re perfect the way they are. We love that type of positivity.
However, this is when things become disappointing. That’s not to say that the next three songs are bad, but more that they’re dull and feel faceless as they try to associate themselves with other bands in the scene, some of which they actually toured with as they were up-and-comers. In a summary, Still Life’s intro is reminiscent of THE FAIM’s I Can Feel You that at first sounds decent but after a point becomes easy to zone out; Honest & Only has elements that are reminiscent of early 2010s pop-punk, namely STATE CHAMPS, which, while fun, is a bit dull; and Hopeful is slightly more upbeat but other than that it’s pretty forgettable.
But when things look down, we finally arrive at closing track Precious. An acoustic track that is honestly so beautiful, it feels so raw and vulnerable that it tugs at your heartstrings. Frankly it’s a saving grace for this otherwise average EP.
It can be scary coming back from a hiatus, especially when it’s been as long as seven years where so much has changed in the scene, but it’s one thing to play something that feels nostalgic to generate feelings of comfort and familiarity, and another entirely when you borrow inspiration from other artists without offering much else. It’s a shame as the first and final songs are so good, but the rest just feel like filler. Maybe they’ll offer something better later this year?
Rating: 6/10
Not For Everyone is out now via Smartpunk Records.
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