An excellent new EP from The Flashpot Moments, Onward! pairs arena-sized guitar rock with melodic hooks and a darker lyrical edge across four tracks. Much of the release was recorded at the legendary EastWest Studios in Los Angeles, specifically Studio 2, alongside a seasoned lineup of longtime collaborators. Arriving November 22, the EP channels a period of personal difficulty into bold, memorable songwriting, fronted by Tim Cawley.
Opening the EP in exhilarating form, “World-Class Trouble” unveils a dynamic guitar presence right away. Heavy distortion and whirring ardor exude an anthemic vigor to start, then shifting to a jangly introspection as melodic vocals appear. “Maybe we will see a hero rise,” Cawley’s vocals let out, bolstered seamlessly by pulses of electric guitar and spacey synths in the ensuing central hook. The track is a tour-de-force production, excelling in both its heavier synth-touched rock and momentum-filled verses. Next up, co-written with Randy Tatum, “Don’t Die, It’s Your Birthday” consumes in its climactic song structure. The “this is existential” spacious vocal work kickstarts a rumbling, fervent title-bearing hook, reappearing throughout and reminding fondly of Manic Street Preachers.
Another highlight, “Walloped” feels fit for a revved-up stadium in its enthused “hell yeah!” hooky proclamation and muscular, chugging guitar work. Emotive vocal builds also engage throughout, as does an absorbing synth-prancing bridge past midpoint, building seamlessly back into the central hook, sounding like a cross of The Cars and Van Halen. Closing the EP, “I Wanted To Believe” is a gorgeous output, its illuminated piano and twangy guitar adornments pairing with a dual-vocal power. Warming guitar feedback and an organ-laden resonance intertwine with a title-touting plea as the track, which stirs in its more balladry rock appeal, comes to a lovely close. A riveting display of songwriting across all four tracks, Onward! is a gripping EP from The Flashpot Moments.
