History: Material for The Story So Far was written on and off while touring over the course of 2014. Vocalist Parker Cannon went to practice and ask the rest of the band if they could do a self-titled release. Guitarist William Levy said he did not know "if it means anything, really. It's just the record that we felt like doing". Levy revealed the band like the album "more than any other record" they've done previously. The album was recorded with producer Sam Pura at Panda Studios. The band have worked with Pura before on their previous releases. Levy said recording "didn't actually feel any different" compared to the first time they recorded with Pura. The Story So Far was released on May 19 through Pure Noise.
Review: The Story So Far have a formula that's proven to work. They are one of the biggest bands in the scene and yet their records all sound the same. Not that it's getting tired or sore, unlike so many bands in the genre, The Story So Far takes the pop-punk stereotypes and throws it on their head. We get a moment of something different with the song "Phantom" where Cannon switches up his melody for a softer tone. Once that's done however they get right back into the hardcore drumming and impressive guitar chords, You'd be hard pressed to find a better song on this album than Heavy Gloom which perfectly sums up what TSSF are about. This third release is the cleanest yet and we no longer have to wonder what Cannon is screaming but it'll be interesting to see how long they can continue going making essentially the same record.
History: In January 2015, Hit the Lights announced the title and release date for the album. A few days later they premiered the first track off the album, "Fucked Up Kids," along with the track listing. Leading up to its release, the band premiered more songs including "The Real" and "No Filter" to build anticipation. The band announced on Twitter that they "wrote Invicta because we wanted to push ourselves. We wrote Summer Bones because we wanted to rip shit. We stand by both." Summer Bones was released on March 24 through Pure Noise.
Review: If Hit The Lights set out to rip shit they definitely succeeded with Summer Bones. The lead track, Fucked Up Kids sets the bar for the album as to what you should expect. No one writes catchier lyrics then Hit The Lights and although the lyrics are a step down from Invicta the music fits the realm of "pop-punk" much better on this offering. These songs all beg to be played live and sung loud and proud by concert-goers. From the sing along of the pop-punk ballad Summer Bones the strongest track on the album to the chants in Life On The Bottom and Keep Your Head. This is a step-forward for HTL, they could've just released a This Is A Stickup... or Skip School Start Fights sequel but they went back to their roots and gave us a brand new listen that stands on it's own legs. Summer Bones proves that Hit The Lights are very much back to form and they're prepared to continue their rise to the top of the scene that was stalled after the high of 2009's Skip School Start Fights.
History: Four Year Strong is the fifth full-length album by American rock band Four Year Strong. It is their first full length release since 2011's In Some Way, Shape, or Form. Described by vocalist Dan O'Connor as being "one of the most raw records we’ve ever made, it’s just us playing. No fancy computer shit. Made for singing along and head-banging.” The album was made available on several limited edition vinyl pressings from Pure Noise Records and Hot Topic. The album was released on June 2 through Pure Noise.
Review: Much like Hit The Lights, Four Year Strong almost single handedly brought Easycore to the mainstream after the release of 2010's Enemy Of The World. Unfortunately their follow up wasn't nearly as well received by fans or critics as they would of liked, and FYS became what so many of their contemporaries have also begun to do and fade into the backdrop. This self-titled effort is a follow-up to the tremendous Go Down In History EP that was released last summer signalling the fact that FYS are still here and they are ready to rock. The lyrics are strong and FYS touch on the fact that they are not the same band that wrote Rise Or Die Trying or Enemy Of The World and never will be again, but this is definitely their heaviest offering to date featuring heavy drum beats and duelling guitars and vocals. Part of this is due to the production as this feels more like how FYS is live since they have a history of being heavier in concert than on recording. We All Float Down Here and Stolen Credit Card are the standouts but I'm A Big, Bright, Shining Star is perhaps the biggest step forward FYS have accomplished in their lengthy career.
