EP REVIEW: WTF HAPPENED? – downcast

“WTF HAPPENED?” is something that a lot of us have probably found ourselves asking at one point or another in our lives and it is an appropriate title for the new EP from emo/alt-rock quartet DOWNCAST. After releasing their self-titled debut EP in 2019 and their debut album I Was In Hell When I Was With You in 2022, the Bristolian quartet have gone from strength to strength whilst building a growing fanbase. WTF HAPPENED? looks set to push them into the mainstream, with four tracks that explore everything from love to grief.

raincheck opens up the EP with an upbeat guitar riff, but don’t let it fool you. Once the lyrics kick in, the true reality of the song becomes clear, revealing a heart-breaking story of a relationship coming to an end. At points the production sometimes causes the instruments to overwhelm the vocals, which is an issue that bleeds into the next song your absence, but is thankfully rectified by the time your band sucks anyway comes on, and remains fixed for closer bittersweet.

Sonically, the EP is fast-paced and guitar-driven. All the songs are are under three minutes long, and the band lean a bit into a pop-punk sound, although there are also elements of emo and alt-rock thrown in as well, especially on the final two songs. Even though all the songs are fast-paced, there is enough time for them to make an impact on the audience due to the care and attention to detail that has clearly been put into each of them.

Overall, WTF HAPPENED? is a great new EP by one of the most interesting rising bands in the scene. DOWNCAST have continued their impressive upwards trajectory with a fast-paced, cohesive and competent EP. Each track gets enough time to make an impact, and if you’re looking for an EP with a lot of heart then this is the one for you.

Rating: 8/10

WTF HAPPENED? is set for release on September 6th via self-release.

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