REVIEW: Misser – Problems, Problems, Problems EP

Artist: Misser
Album: Problems, Problems, Problems
Genre: Pop-punk

I shall first of all acknowledge that I know nothing about either Transit or This Time Next Year, members of whom comprise Misser, so I can’t judge this three song EP on the basis of their previous efforts. Mind, that’s probably a good thing. Three songs aren’t really enough of a foundation on which to critique anyone, but for what it’s worth I can give this barely-there little release a solid thumbs up.

“Just Say It” opens proceedings with flair and panache in the guitars and machismo in the vocals. It seems a touch angry and bitter, and the pacing is a little slow, which together with the short running time gives the overall impression that this track is something of a practice run. It feels more like a demo they’ve not quite finished playing around with, as the tempo and energy are concerted if uneven, and there’s not much in the way of singing. It is, nonetheless, a promising beginning.

The above provides a faded segue into the next song, “She Didn’t Turn Out To Be That Cool.” This one is fairly slow but idealistic from the outset, with a mixture of group and individual vocals. The group efforts convince a lot more than the singular ones, as there’s something a little pitchy to the individual vox that gets rounded out when the others join in. It has a lot of pleasing rhythmic patches and a great deal of life, giving it a more grounded feel than its predecessor. It does still feel like a trial run of sorts, but it’s most enjoyable.

Finally, “Hating” uses slow, foreboding drums to open and then brings in a similarly-minded guitar. Oddly enough, the guitars and bass seem to slow this down a bit, as the drums had initially hinted at a brisker and catchier pace. The vocals are also kept quite slow – this track is a bit like an afterthought, very slow and analytical, with a kind of muted sound and laconic singing. The latter still isn’t particularly convincing, sounding for all its obvious intent like it’s aiming for a certain gravitas that just won’t materialise, but that aside all is well here.

That is quite literally it, in what is by all accounts a likeable and engaging little affair. It has its quirks and it might need one or two things ironed out for a full length, but all in all, it’d be downright churlish not to like this. Hell, it’s only three songs. It’s over before you could decide you don’t like it.

SCORE: 8/10
Review written by Grace Duffy

James Shotwell
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