Hailing from Oakville, Ontario, our neighbors of the north in Seaway have become a household name for young and upcoming pop punk acts on the rise. After the release of their explosive self-titled EP and a split with Safe To Say, as well as relentlessly touring with underdog bands like Bellwether, Batten Down The Hatches and Knuckle Puck to mark down onto their resume, Seaway continues to go above and beyond to energetic sound with the release of their debut full-length, Hoser.
Immediately when you first dive into Hoser, it's guaranteed you will get hooked. With an explosive entrance into the record, with opening songs like "Expectation" transitioning into "What's Really Good", listeners will find themselves lost in a nostalgic whirlwind, reminding them of when they first listened to New Found Glory's self-titled LP or even Saves The Day's Through Being Cool.
There is no doubt that one of the top tracks on Hoser has to be their single, "Shy Guys"; a theme song for the awkward and friend-zoned, with a music video that continues to enthusiastically show off their Animal House-like life-of-the-party mentality that we all know and love from the video for "Sabrina The Teenage Bitch".
As you make your way towards the end of the remaining tracks on the record, there appears to be a dramatic shift, alternating between upbeat and uplifting moods that introduce a softer, but more emotional, side of the band. While "No Direction", for example, introduces values of self-discovery through the sense of reevaluating optimism, contrasting songs like "The Weight" and "Hourglass" linger on the subject of experiencing moments of uncertainty as people come and go from your life.
While reflecting back on lively songs, such as "Shy Guys", that confidentially embrace our socially awkward quirks, "Hourglass" is a defining deep cut in this record that rips through your heartstrings with one-liners like, "I know that you're okay/I just hope you don't forget me as I waste my days away". This complimentary transition definitely foreshadows the potential for progression and maturity as a newly-established band.
Listening to Hoser from beginning to end will make you feel as if you swan-dived head first into an eternal fountain of youth. Still young in the game while wearing their Canadian maple leaves with pride like the hearts on their sleeves, Seaway's music truly embodies a driven spark of innovative passion. Reflecting upon their energetic and youthful sound, Hoser is a solid debut that will make you feel as if time hasn't past at all.
Tracklist:
1. Expectation
2. What's Really Good
3. Keep Your Stick On The Ice
4. Too Fast For Love
5. Puddles
6. Slowing Down
7. Shy Guys
8. No Direction
9. The Weight (Feat. Shane Told)
10. Hourglass
11. Deferral
RIYL: New Found Glory by New Found Glory, The Weight That You Buried EP by Knuckle Puck, Under Soil And Dirt by The Story So Far, Put Yourself Back Together EP by Real Friends
Rating:
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