The Fallaways Debut Second EP 'Sunset Ave'
Vancouver’s latest high-energy punk band, The Fallaways, are back with the release of their second EP Sunset Ave. Taking a slight step away from the “classic” punk sound of 2017’s Skiddish, the band delivers a polished alternative rock sound, showcasing a more intimate and vulnerable side of the band.
When asked about this transition in sound, frontman Jason Koster says it was only a matter of time. “As much as we all love that classic punk sound, we're always going to continue growing and developing our sound and song writing.” He continues, “We wanted more substance on this EP and I think that's exactly what we've added.”
The Fallaways have fallen into the recent trend of releasing an excessive amount of singles - five out of the six tracks on the EP - but this seems to be commonplace in the scene these days. “Dumb” and “Alive” were the first two singles released in anticipation of the new EP, which have amassed more than 100,000 streams each - so you can’t say the strategy isn’t working.
Opening the EP, “Dumb” is quite reminiscent of the “classic” punk rock found on the band’s early material. With an insanely catchy chorus in “I wanna be dumb / I wanna be stupid, just like you / I wanna have fun / No regrets for what I’ve done”, you can’t help but think of good times as it slowly gets stuck in your head. To say this song is a punk rock anthem is an understatement.
“Feeling Low” is the first real taste of the more intimate side of the band, as they detail the struggles of feeling down in the dumps. Elsewhere, “Still Alive” accomplishes a similar feat, with even less punk rock influence - it is quite atmospheric, almost trance-like. These are welcomed changes that generally retain enough edge to not be a complete divergence from their roots.
Sonically, these tracks perfectly complement the up-and-down nature of the themes of the EP. “The main message throughout the EP is "Have fun, but take care of yourself,” says Koster. “We've been through a lot of ups and downs in the band over the last 5 years. Speaking for myself, I can easily say some of the best moments of my life have been through The Fallaways, but with the highs come the lows, and I've had my fair share of that. I've put every ounce of myself into the project and that can be extremely mentally draining, but at the end of the day music will always be my biggest passion, so why the hell not?”
Bringing back the fast-paced rock style, “Let Go” and “Electric” are clearly derived from their musical influences in Sum 41 and Rise Against. Quoting other influences, such as FIDLAR, Blink-182, and Foo Fighters, it is easy to see where The Fallaways turn for motivation.
Together, Sunset Ave is a newer direction for The Fallaways, but one that certainly pays off over these six tracks. Quite confident in his band’s ability, Koster has big plans for The Fallaways. “I see us being one of the biggest rock bands in Canada in 5 years.” He continues, “Probably one more EP, followed by a full length, and we'll see where that takes us.”
It appears fans will have plenty to look forward to from The Fallaways, but in the meantime, enjoy Sunset Ave in its entirety. Check out the video for “Feeling Low” below to get a taste of what this band has to offer.