“So, you can call me crazy, I’m much more but I’m anything from insecure”
There’s something about the pop-punk genre that makes it hard for new bands to stand out. They could be excellent musicians, and have an affinity for irresistible hooks and infectious beats, but if there’s a hint of nostalgia about them, it’s too easy to compare them to scene-defining heavyweights like Simple Plan and All Time Low who have been building up the pop-punk sound for the past decade.
That’s how I feel about UK-based The Bottom Line’s latest EP, I Still Hate You. Don’t get me wrong, it’s a solid five tracks. I listened to it approximately seven times before I even started writing this review and enjoyed it every time. By the third listen, I started singing along, and even popped the title track into my Spring 2017 playlist because the punchy percussion and the chorus, with all its sassy attitude, is ridiculously fun. On the other end of the spectrum, the acoustic closer, “When I Come Around”, showcases the band’s range as they slow it down and get introspective, a sharp and impressive change from the previous thirteen minutes of rollicking pop-punk.
But for all its good attributes, it’s difficult for me to break down why I like it. It’s most likely because of the nostalgic feeling I get from it—opening track “Pull Me Out” immediately reminded me of early Sum 41 with their raucous energy and raw production—but there’s nothing new about them. There’s no doubt that The Bottom Line is talented: they’re fun and catchy and yeah, I’ll definitely be singing “A Little Much” during patio season (aka summer), but they don’t yet have a sound that makes them truly stand out from the crowd.
Buy It, Stream It, or Skip It? Stream it! The Bottom Line is like your favorite comfort food: reliable and enjoyable and just what you need on a dreary winter day.
