Review: American Secrets - Wasn't Our Season EP



    While pop punk isn’t exactly a genre one associates with Alabama, the state actually had a pretty good roaster of bands back during the pop-punk-with-breakdowns wave from around 2008-2012. The state boasted Carridale who had a bit of success nationwide and virtually every scene in the state had a talented pop punk act or two, with even Gadsden boasting solid ones like Apollo 11 and Off By A Long Shot. Unfortunately, since about 2014 though we’ve have been in a bit of a rut when it comes to the genre. While the state has enjoyed a bit of an uptick in more traditional punk bands American Secrets seems poised to break the states pop punk dry spell. The four piece's first release Wasn’t Our Season boasts six tracks of solid songs falling on the very poppy spectrum of pop punk that may remind devoted southern pop punk fans of TN’s On My Honor. The EP opens with the title track Wasn’t Our Season which gives listeners a good introduction of what they’re in for and if the band is for them. If you like your pop punk with a little hardcore edge the band may not be for you but for those that enjoy catchy mid-tempo style in the vein of say Real Friends, the band are likely up your alley. The band follow it up with "Be Mine" a slightly more high energy track more in the style of say New Found Glory with very cute sappy sing along lyrics like “I wanna be your late night drunk text, I wanna be your shot waiting at the bar, I wanna be that last little reason you come home with me so make up your mind”. Other highlights include "Bed Sheets" which I must say is easily the most sickeningly sweet pop punk tune I’ve heard in quite some time. Fans of the genre may well experience some feels from this one with its lyrics like “Don't hide under the bed sheets, The sun can't shine through, Don't let your heart keep fading, Because I'm right here waiting “. Tracks like "Smoke Me Out" and "Said Goodbye" meanwhile may not be quite for everyone as the higher pitched vocals occasionally veer into chipmunk territory but nevertheless are solid tunes. The closing track aptly titled "Last Song" kicks things up a notch with some pop punk breakdowns and some slightly harsher vocals before wrapping the EP up with a neat bow with the closing line “Summer just wasn’t our season”. All things considered, this was a surprisingly impressive debut and I’d encourage readers to throw the guys a few bucks rather than simply going the free route regarding their Bandcamp. Additionally, if you enjoy the EP, the band's YouTube page may be worth checking out as it features a variety of covers from both big name pop punk bands like Fall Out Boy and up-and-coming ones like Waterparks.
3.75/5 
          -Kevin Spann



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