Not Enough Hardcore

If someone were asked to conjure up the most standard issue screamo influenced pop punk band, it would probably sound a whole lot like California-based band Seasons Change. Catchy, if pretty unoriginal, poppy riffs and the variety of whiny vocals expected with this kind of band make up their newest record, Please Don’t Leave. All of the songs sort of blend together, and there is absolutely nothing that makes this record stand out next to 100 other records with the same inspirations and aesthetic, but they certainly do a good job at what they do.

Please Don’t Leave opens with “Clueless,” an upbeat track that is perfect for anyone looking for the right song to dance themselves into Spring. As with every song on the album, it is solid, fun, and well done but entirely unremarkable. One of the highlights on the record comes halfway through with the song “The Reasons Why,” which has one of the strongest hardcore influences in it, sounding straight out of an early Balance and Composure release. That song and songs like “Sick of It” show that Seasons Change’s strengths lie in heavier music, and that they would do best to transition into a true hardcore band. Unfortunately, the peak hit only a few songs before fizzles pretty quickly with the closing track, “Not Sorry,” another cloyingly whiny screamo-fused pop punk song.

As a standard, watered-down pop punk band, Seasons Change are indistinguishable from a whole lot of other watered-down pop punk bands, but as a hardcore they have real potential. Their first full release on their new label, they could be on track to something awesome with and following Please Don’t Leave. But, they’ve gotta let their hard side shine, rather than trying to match all the other pop punk being released. And seeing how this may not be the most likely shift in style, hopefully Seasons Change find a way to stand out amongst the rest.