I feel like I’m hungover after the Idles show last night even though I didn’t drink. It’s a weird feeling. It was such a great and powerful show that it left me feeling so motivated and energized while feeling mentally and physically drained. Don’t know what I mean? That’s a shame because, although a bit of a weird feeling, it’s one of the best. Although I’ve been hard at work all morning, my mind seems to be elsewhere and I need some new music to help reign me in so let’s take a listen to Balcony Talk’s EP ‘Calendar Daze’.
“IAMLOSTWITHOUTYOU” is the first track on this super quick four-song EP and it instantly draws you in with a sense of power. I was falling in love head over heels for Balcony Talk as soon as their quintessential pop-punk vocals came in. With an edge of aggression coming to focus with every word sung, I loved the undeniable power of this track but how, about halfway through, you get to see a more tender side of this powerhouse of a band. “IAMLOSTWITHOUTYOU” is a stunning way to kick off an EP and it has me more than excited to see what else this band has in store for me!
The energy amps up for “Scapegoat” in a gorgeous way. A bit more aggressive and in your face, this was instantly a favorite track of mine just due to that aggression and the undeniable passion that kicks this track off. The overall song structure is a bit predictable if you’re as obsessed with early 2000’s screamo and emo music but that doesn’t mean this song felt boring or overdone in any way. Balcony Talk has a distinct tone to their guitars and style to their vocals that makes them absolutely stand out in a scene that seems to be getting a bit more popular with every day that passes. Again, this song showcases the two extreme sides of this band– aggression and angst mixed with tenderness and beauty– it’s seriously a perfect balance that Balcony Talk has found and this track shows that off.
Why is six afraid of seven? Well, because seven eight nine. Why am I telling you this all-too-corny joke? Because the third track on this EP is entitled “Why Seven Eight Nine” and, like any good early 2000’s pop-punk/emo/screamo track, the song title seems to have nothing to do with the track at all. The amount of nostalgia that comes with this track is staggering which, if you know me, you know is one of my favorite things ever. This is the slowest moving track on the album but there’s no denying the sheer emotional power of the track. Instead of pure aggression and angst, I get a feeling defeat and loneliness from this track that, although doesn’t fit my current mood, definitely tugged at my heartstrings a wee bit.
Wrapping things up for ‘Calendar Daze’ is “Cut My Nose (To Spite My Face)”. Although I expected this track to blast into my house and leave it in pieces, this track leans more towards the tenderness felt in “Why Seven Eight Nine” while bringing a bit more of that new-school cloud hop sound that seems to be all the rage these days. Just when I had written this track as a “not for me song” due to the cloud-hop vibe, the mood shifts into a flawless pop-punk anthemic chorus that instantly won me over. I loved the way that you can hear so many influences and genres in just one track and was a bit disappointed when I was left in silence and reminded that “Cut My Nose (To Spite My Face)” was the last song on the EP.
My Favorite Track(s): “Scapegoat”
For Fans Of: Nostalgia; Aggression and Angst; Pop-Punk
Mosh-ability: 8 out of 10
What My Cats Thought Of It: Artie slept on the back of the couch; I have no clue where Autumn is
How Badly I Want To See This Performed Live: 8 out of 10
My Overall Rating: 7.8 out of 10
Check Out Balcony Talk Here:
Check Out ‘Calendar Daze’ HERE!
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