EP REVIEW: Stratejacket – Stratejacket

They might only be in their early twenties, but lead vocalist/guitar Jackson Roemers, vocalist/bassist Fabian Angel and drummer Nate Mangold – the trio who make up Californian band STRATEJACKET – have honed their craft to perfection. They formed in 2019 and only played one gig before lockdown put things on hold. This would spell disaster for most bands, but for STRATEJACKET it meant that they could find their sound, blending their combined influences of alternative and punk bands from the 1990s all the way through to the 2010s. Their self-titled EP shows an exciting new band who could one day lead the way in the modern alternative rock music scene.

The high-energy Bad Start opens the EP and whilst it does sound a lot like an early GREEN DAY B-side, the passion that the band have for music is evident throughout, which even critics can’t deny. Whilst the energy dips a little in the mid-tempo punk rock song Be My Drug, the passion is still there. The guitar work on this song is fantastic, especially when the band really let loose and have fun in the chorus.

Of course, short songs are a staple of punk music, but STRATEJACKET do not allow their tracks just to come and go without making an impact. Each song gets its own time to shine, whether it is the mid-tempo Cut The Cord, the bass-heavy Living A Lie or closing song Torch, which showcases a rockier side to the band. Admittedly, the EP isn’t perfect. The band stick to the safety of punk for the majority of the EP, and whilst each song is unique, the band could branch out more than they do.

Ultimately though STRATEJACKET are just starting out, and this is a very exciting place to begin. They make themselves at home in both the rock and punk genres, and whilst they don’t fully explore rock as much as they do punk on this EP, the band still showcase their best talents. Although each song is short, they never sound unfinished or rushed in any way; the instruments and the vocals blend really well together and all the songs fit well together on the record. If you’re looking for a punk rock EP to blast loudly this summer, then STRATEJACKET‘s self-titled is for you.

Rating: 8/10

Stratejacket is set for release on May 10th via EDGEOUT Records.

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