Local Weatherman has returned with their newest musical venture, with their new EP Right One, and the band does not disappoint. With a less than 20-minute runtime, there is not a second wasted as the music carries itself with the same moody defiance of the pop punk bands of the early 2000’s while still seeming to present a fresh sound that keeps the listener engaged and entertained. To put it simply, this project is just really fun to listen to.

This album presents a nostalgic callback to a simpler time, with memories of spiked hair and playing Tony Hawk Pro Skater 3, while sonically infused with the somber aggression of bands such as Title Fight and DUCKBOY, respectively.  The project is able to utilize multiple thematic tonal shifts while still sounding cohesive and well-put together. This “multifaceted constancy” shows signs of a thought out musical ethos, a grand sonic plan that only adds to the emotional pull of the listening experience.

The opening track, “Thread,” serves as an attitude filled pushback to the painfully drab modernity of modern rock music. Within the first minute, we are able to get a taste for the band’s sound and understand what we are in for throughout the rest of the EP. With solid instrumentation and crooning vocals reminiscent of the late 90s Berkley scene, this track carries itself with its chest out, confident in its youthful edge. While listening, it feels clear to see the band’s inspirations, with certain riffs or choruses feeling like tasteful nods of appreciation, opposed to shallow interpolations. This track utilizes a familiar sound and tone while being able to make it feel fresh, new, and unique to their own personal tastes.

The shift from the preceding songs to “Weighing” highlights the band’s range. This track feels like a marriage between the sonic grit of a Title Fight instrumental and the innocent honesty of the lyrics of American Football. Overall, this track leaves the listeners with a secure sense that this band really can hold their weight when it comes to the more melodic side of the musical coin. Throughout the listening experience, it is hard not to be bought in by the emotionally-driven vocals combined with a steady, haunting background track, which leaves the listener with the idea that maybe things will end up alright in the end.

In conclusion, this project feels like a triumphant return to form for a band that is only evolving into something bigger and better in the coming years. This tape is able to take the sonic ethos of old Blink182 demos and the teen angst straight out of a mid 2000s movie montage scene, while bringing a sense of longing and familiarity that feels full of heart and genuine energy of the band’s intentions. The riffs are catchy, the lyrics relatable and honest, the vocals shine over genuinely engaging instrumentation, Local Weathermen have a lot to say, and give us just as much reason to listen.