New, Again - These City Lights Aren't Half As Bright As They Used To Be (EP)

New, Again

These City Lights Aren't Half As Bright As They Used To Be
self-released; 2016

​3.6 out of 5

By Jamie Funk
​

Vik Mudhar (vocals/guitar), Josh Edwards (guitar/vocals), Ryan Sehmi (bass/vocals) and Billy Hunter (drums/vocals) are New, Again. The band is new. They formed less than a year ago and already released These City Lights Aren't Half As Bright As They Used To Be.

They are also quite young in terms of their age. All of the members are nineteenyears old and make age appropriate music. They play pop-punk/emo that has been notoriously popular with teenagers for years now. The band has done their homework and fits into the genre with ease. Sometimes they play into the tropes but I was also impressed with the times they deviate.

I also need to mention the production. It’s exceptional. The band didn’t take any chances and left it to the pros and the proof is in the pudding. All of the songs are powerful and full of energy. It’s that drum sound that is just so hard to get if you aren’t a pro.

After an effective “Intro” lasting a little less than a minute they launch into “Save Me Now.” They rock this song out. The song is fairly predictable but very well delivered. the band rips it up right after the minute mark. There is some intense lead guitar in there.

They continue to display some talent on “Arrows (It's Over)” which has a nostalgic feel to it. Mudhar sings “Thought I woke up and that I was dreaming / But really I'm still sleeping alone in the dark.” “Pretend” is emo/pop-punk 101 while the closer “Stepping Stones” solidifies the band's sound.

​Are New, Again going to convert anyone he doesn’t already enjoy pop-punk/emo? No, they will not. With that, for fans of the genre this is definitely a band that they will want to check out. The band sounds great in a number of areas and seem to be ahead of the curve compared to a lot of other young bands trying to make a name for themselves.

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