Old Friends is the second EP from The Sinking Feeling, a three piece punk/emo band from Glasgow, that follows on from last year’s self titled four track. Produced by Paul McInally at 45 A Side Recordings, the EP definitely retains the raw sound you’d expect from the band performing live. ‘Snakeblood’ sets the tone well in that regard; the slighltly distorted bass tone really standing out when the guitars drop down. The vocal style is pleasing, avoiding the trap a lot of musicians in this genre fall into of impersonating Americans; their local accent is clear and works perfectly in the context. The only bit which is a bit confusing and doesn’t really work for me is the drop out in the final third of the track before the delay laden guitar comes in. I love the ending, but the gap is too long and it just feels like another track entirely.
‘Depends’ feels a bit calmer despite still having a moderately up-beat pace to it. The backing vocals are lush and really add to the track, as the guitar fights its way through the choruses. Rythmically, I imagine this to be the most danceable track on the EP. ‘Difference’ starts off fairly heavy hitting, if a bit slow; the drums really pound and the guitar smash repeatedly until the verse, where the bite in the vocals maintains the aggression. The chorus is a little bit more pop-punk (still with hard hitting guitar and bass tone), but the real highlight of the track comes towards the end when all but the guitars drop out leaving mostly vocals. I was expecting it to kick back in, so I was pleasantly surprised when it didn’t; it’s always good when you can’t predict the music.
‘Old Friends’ is the shortest track on the EP, serving as a climatic ending, large portions of which sound like the vocals are yelled at a distance, right until the guitar builds back up, the drums roll and the screaming starts. It’s possibly a little cliche, but it’s done really well so I won’t complain. Old Friends contains four really well written songs, with production that perfectly fits the style of music. It’s a little shame that the follow up to their self titled is another EP, as it does feel a little short. You can get both over at Bandcamp, Old Friends being great value at £2, and the self titled debut being on a ‘pay what you want’ deal. Can’t say fairer than that.
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