REVIEW: Freshman Underdog - Turning Leaves [EP/2020]
Artist: Freshman Underdog
Album: Turning Leaves– EP
A lot ofpersonal, human experiences are associated with seasonal change—and for goodreason. As snow melts and gives way to vibrant Spring colors that intensifythrough the summer and fade throughout fall, each transition represents abalance between death and life; stagnation and maturation. As the seasonschange, so can we—and with each cycle of change (that’s a year if the metaphoris eluding you) things grow and become different, but still comforting andfamiliar. This sense of growth, change and familiarity all existingsimultaneously captures the essence of the debut effort by Michigan pop-punkact Freshman Underdog, aptly titled TurningLeaves. With songs that capture the rambunctious energy of a warm spring orblistering summer (minus the COVID Pandemic) transitioning into and out ofsongs with a cooler, more melancholic and bitter demeanor, Turning Leaves distills the many sides of a broad genre, givinglisteners something emotional to lose themselves in as aptly as it giveslisteners something energetic, angsty and catchy to becomes ensnared by.
Pop-punk isone of those relatively enigmatic genres that covers everything from late 90’s-tingedbands like Blink-182, MEST and Simple Plan to contemporary, moody acts likeBalance & Composure, Transit and more. In between, there are several bandsthat clearly fall on one side of the fence or the other, a few bands that bouncehither and to between them and even fewer that combine elements of both on asingle release—that last category is where Freshman Underdog just so happen tofall. Emerging from a humble beginning as a straightforward easycore act, Turning Leaves sees the band embracingsome of the sharp, angsty tones of acts like Handguns and mid-career Neck Deepwithout omitting more melancholic elements akin to pop-punk’s more subduedacts. While “End of May” and lead single, “F.O.M.O.” are unmistakably “summer”style songs, boasting fast riffs and faster drumming that segues into chorusesso catchy there should be a social distancing order issued alongside them.Meanwhile, “ILYStill” and the record’s title track are more moody and mellow(well, the title track might fall along the lines of downright depressing if we’rebeing honest), highlighting the band’s ability to tackle opposite extremeswithin their genre. Here, more moderate drumming serves as a foundation forsparse chords and low, rumbling bass—all moody and a little cold, reminiscentof a bitter Midwest fall. Where “ILYStill” isn’t without a little bit of pep,the same as “End of May” begins on a somber, sullen note, these songs embodythe very notion of turning leaves—or seasons changing—giving depth and dynamicto Freshman Underdog’s sound.
Just as theinstrumental elements within pop-punk can take on a myriad style and sound, thevocal elements may as well. Freshman Underdog’s vocal component is as varied asthe groups’ instrumentation, although perhaps not as successful throughout. “F.O.M.O.”and “End of May” are, simply put, immense songs from a vocal and lyricalstandpoint, thoroughly catchy and incredibly adept at being exactly what a listener would expect outof a pop-punk record. “ILYStill” follows that trend, although with sectionsthroughout the closing segments where the vocal patterns and range demanded bythe musicianship feel as if they’re more than what can be delivered, forcingtheir impact to be immensely lessened. Other songs, “Something More” and thetitular track, are lyrical beasts with vocals that fall flat about as often asthey hit home. “Something More” boasts a chorus that could be as catchy asanything thrust forth on “F.O.M.O.,” but the vocals feel as though theyoverpower the instrumentation, allowing their flaws to become glaring. The samething occurs throughout “Turning Leaves,” where the vocals simply feel too loud and moments where they becomedisjointed from their subtle, acoustic base become spectacles and break thelistener out of the otherwise immersive experience they provide.
Turning Leaves isn’t perfect—it isn’twithout its weaknesses and pitfalls, for sure—but it also hits its mark when Itcomes to establishing Freshman Underdog as a youthful, energetic and ambitiousband in a genre that’s been on the decline in recent years. Catchy, hook-filledand vibrant, Freshman Underdog’s TurningLeaves is enough to make you want to get out and drive with the windowsdown as winter finally thaws into Spring—even if you can’t really go anywhere while you do it.
8/10
For Fans Of: Transit, Neck Deep, Handguns
By: Connor Welsh