Category Archives: Reviews

Ah, Hopeless Records. What has recently become one of my favorite labels holds some of the most popular pop punk bands of the past decade: All Time Low, Silverstein, There for Tomorrow, and even Yellowcard, who signed for their latest release entitled “When You’re Through Thinking, Say Yes.” They also claim bands such as Enter Shikari and The Wonder Years, who have quickly managed to establish themselves in their past couple of years on the label. So who will be next? Three of Hopeless’s latest signees come to mind, all of which I’ve been lighting up on Spotify as of late. So have a listen, because these guys (and girl) are well on their way to headlining the next big tour.

3. Divided By Friday
@DividedByFriday
I will confess a bit of personal attachment to this band. I befriended drummer Al German via Twitter over a year ago when they were still an unsigned local band in North Carolina. Starting in their early high school years in the small town of Laurinburg, DBF quickly began headlining shows all over the state. Their first full length, “Maybe in a Memory,” brought these sixteen and seventeen-year-olds to the attention of multiple labels. I caught lead singer Jose Villanueva after a show about a month ago and asked him about it. “Suddenly everyone was calling us,” he told me. “We had big labels telling us that we were one of their top prospects at the moment… we were only juniors and seniors.” Since their first release, Divided By Friday has put out two singles and three EPs, steadily gaining talent with each one. Their latest EP, “Prove It,” was released just under a month ago and features both singles (“Prove It” and “Lost in Limbo”), as well as four other tracks that are sure to catch your attention. You’ll even find a song featuring Jenna McDougall of the Australia-based Tonight Alive. In short, these guys are young, talented, and full of the potential, providing unique-sounding vocals and intense melodies (not to mention that the drumming is phenomenal). And for proof, check out their ever first music video for “Disappoint: Surprise” off their second EP, “The Constant”:

2. We Are The In Crowd
@WeAreTheInCrowd
Let’s face it. Female-fronted bands are perfect. The girls love seeing a fellow lady on stage, and the guys… well, you get the idea. But, at the same time, male vocals bring out an intensity that only guys can. So what if you mix both? Enter We Are The In Crowd. Tay Jardine and Jordan Eckes trade off vocals as only they can to create a unique sound that is practically impossible to find a comparison for. While they certainly put on a great display of harmonies, We Are The In Crowd also uses their unique setup to portray a multi-perspective feel to each song. Some songs resemble arguments, while others sound more like a built-up mutual opinion. Their first release, “Guaranteed to Disagree,” goes with a rather poppy sound that’s great for roadtripping or whatever else makes you smile. Singles like “Both Sides of the Story” and “For the Win” are nothing short of entertaining and have an almost nostalgic feel to them. Their second full length, however, has taken a slightly more serious turn. Released on October 4, “Best Intentions” has showed a more mature We Are The In Crowd, and it’s proven to be for the better, and watching this band continue to develop is bound to be a thrilling experience. Check out the official music video for the first single of this sophomore release, entitled “Rumor Mill,” and decide for yourself:

1. The Dangerous Summer
@DangerousSummer
But sometimes, you need to sit back and think. Relax. Take the edge off. You need music you can feel. Lyrics you can relate to. Chord progressions that invoke emotion. You seek passion. Sit down with AJ Perdomo for a little while. From The Dangerous Summer’s formation in 2007 as seniors in high school, AJ’s ability to write has spoken for itself. But lyrics are only a piece of a band. Thankfully, The Dangerous Summer has a little something called chemistry. Each member brings their own passion to the group: the guitar riffs are beautiful, the drumming is subtle yet intricate, and the melodies captivate the listener. This, my friends, is music. TDS’s alternative sound takes influence from indie and modern rock, and also throws in some elements of its own. Their first full length, “Reach for the Sun,” is a stunning piece of work, and yet, in their latest release, they have somehow managed to outdo the former. Released this past summer, “War Paint” was nothing short of phenomenal. And, incredibly enough, they are just as impressive live as they are on the record. Still need more evidence? Check out their latest music video for their first single, “Work in Progress,” after which I named this blog:

So there you have it. Three young, talented bands on a label notorious for producing some killer music. Clicking on each album image above will take you to it on the iTunes store; buy if you can in order to support these guys. Stay inspired my friends.