Coastbound - Wasting Your Breath (EP Review)

When AP.net premiered "Overrated" I instantly thought Coastbound could be something that would stick out to me this year. It was just the type of pop/punk song my summer was needing. After giving the song a few more listens, as well as checking out their other song available "Shar's Car", I put the band's EP on my anticipated list. I had some high expectations for this EP when I hit play and gave the band's new EP, Wasting Your Breath, a first listen.

"Sick" kicks off the EP in high octane fashion. The lyrics have a great mentality to them and some of the spoken lyrical parts are pretty interesting. "Overrated" is an immediately enjoyable song. It took me by surprise by how much I enjoy it. Honestly it's one of the best pop/punk songs I've heard this year. It starts with super strong lyrics and when the music gets going in the song it's hard to believe this band isn't releasing this EP on one of the larger indie labels. The song has massive hit potential. "Last Call" ends the EP and it's a well paced song with some really good, soaring vocals. It ends the album with a lot of energy and excitement.

They are hitting all the right spots vocally and musically and it creates a really solid listen. The guitars on this EP sound current but have that breezy sunny vibe that early-mid 2000s pop/punk had. There are moments when the band remind me a little of early The Starting Line and Cartel. Then in other spots it reminds me of something like All Time Low with splashes of 5 Seconds Of Summer. The music has enough polish and shine to make it easily accessible to most listeners, but it still has just enough punk edge to add some character to the songs. The lyrics are really neat. They have some quirkiness to them and are pretty interesting to me.

This is some of the most fun, well put together, catchy pop/punk I've heard all year long. There are a couple spots here or there that I think could have been mixed slightly better, but really that's the only thing I could nitpick about the EP. I think a label like Hopeless, Fearless, or No Sleep would be crazy not to sign these guys immediately. This is a great fun summer EP and I'm really enjoying it. I think it could be a big hit with pop/punk listeners. Check this out!