REVIEWS
WRITTEN BY: MEG
Ontario, Canada-based pop-punk band Oakrest has been releasing music since the summer of 2017. The quartet already had two EPs under their belt - 2017's "This Story Needs an End" and 2019's "Annamaria Dr." - and nearly five years on from the former of the two, the band has finally released their debut full-length, titled "Summer Sun."
The album kicks off with “Olivia," and in a recent interview with All Punked Up, frontman Jacob Szabo revealed the track is named after a childhood crush he had. The Olivia referred to in the song could easily be representative of anyone listeners may have a crush on, and the lyrics reflect how it feels to fall head-over-heels for somebody in general (“Olivia, you gotta know that you’re always on my mind”). This track also begins a story about summer love, and that story continues on throughout the rest of the record, with the tracklist carefully curated to tell it chronologically.
“Nothing Serious” brings a fun and carefree tone that felt reminiscent of the last couple of albums from fellow Canadian pop-punk band Seaway. Lyrically, this track shows the protagonist in the album’s story feeling unsure of where their relationship stands. “Love For One Day,” a track that showcases Szabo’s vocal talent, reflects on the fallout of a relationship, as one comes to the realization that it wasn’t meant to be (“Love for one day, there was no surprise and no sunrise / Love for one day, could see it in your eyes hearing your goodbyes”) “When One Door Closes” feels like a sequel to the track before it. The title references the tried-and-true saying of “when one door closes, another one opens,” and the lyrics on here explain how it feels to start letting go of past relationships to make way for new beginnings - in this case, a new relationship. The track also contains some of the catchiest riffs (courtesy of lead guitarist Michael Van and rhythm guitarist Jacob Graves) and one of the strongest choruses found on the whole record. “It’s Something You Do” mixes in some synths and pop-leaning musical elements into the band’s predominantly pop-punk sound. Lines such as “my heart beats solely for you, it’s something you do” make this song serve as another example of the infatuation one feels when having a crush on or being in a relationship with someone. Chris Zoubaniotis’ drumming stands out in the mix throughout the track as it drives the rhythm and builds up to the song’s huge choruses. “Take It Slow” swaps out the electric guitars for acoustics and a piano, while still maintaining the uptempo rhythm heard throughout the album as a whole. The beginning depicts feelings of loneliness of isolation from a breakup (“Doors shut in my face again, I think I see a trend here / Closed off from the world, don’t know why, but I try not to live in fear”) while other sections bring questions about the relationship, wondering where things went wrong and where to go from there (“The light you helped me see through was like a wish, you made it come true / But I don’t understand, no I don’t understand, how we got here in the first place”). “Let’s Go” contrasts, bringing a sense of optimism as someone lets go of the past and prepares to embrace the future with their significant other. The song gradually builds in intensity before launching into a bigger chorus as Szabo sings, “let’s go to the moon and the stars, let’s go to a place we can call ours.” “Summer Sun” is a letter of appreciation towards a significant other, thanking them for being there during tough times and bringing happiness into your life (“You brought the sun when I needed, this storm in my head’s been defeated, took some time, let it shine, now I see it / The summer sun is out and I want you around”). “Final Words” focuses on the rock and punk elements of the band’s sound through the gritty instrumentation, and the song declares the end of a relationship with someone who didn’t treat you well (“To think, I sink when I’m with you, no matter what you do / I feel unreal, this road is ending, what has this come to?”). The album’s story reaches a happy conclusion with the final track, “Shed My Skin,” an anthem about healing from your past and finding yourself in the wake of heartbreak. On “Summer Sun,” Oakrest has crafted an album full of memorable pop-punk tracks that tell relatable stories of love, heartbreak, taking chances, and moving forward. “SUMMER SUN” IS AVAILABLE NOW. LISTEN TO THE ALBUM HERE:
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
Categories
All
|