Written by Megan Langley
Minnesota-based pop-punk trio A Better Hand has returned! After releasing their EP “Out of Sight and Out of Mind” in 2019, they’re back with their label debut, “Cheap Smokes And Champagne.”
“Silhouettes” starts the release off well, opening with some catchy guitar riffs before the vocals and rhythm section take the lead in the verses and pre-choruses, which build up nicely to the choruses that follow and contain melodies that are just as catchy as the riffs that opened the track. Speaking of the guitars, another moment where they shine is in the bridge, which brings an impressive solo to the table before the final chorus comes in.
Next up is “Sleep With The Lights On”, which brings memorable melodies and instrumentals right off the bat that eventually return later on during the choruses. The drums bring a lot of extra energy to the track during the verses and pre-choruses as the song prepares for those unforgettable hooks to return.
Unforgettable is also a word I would undoubtedly use to describe this EP’s lead single, “Wrong One.” This song picks up the pace a little bit, with a tempo that’s more energetic in comparison to the tempos of the last two tracks.
The darker composition really makes the song stand out amongst the rest as well. The irresistible riffs and melodies throughout this track have made me come back to it many times since its initial release.
“Autumn Leigh” slows things down for a bit, and the synths and brighter, cleaner guitars showcase bring a more laid-back tone to the song at first. Once the pre-chorus and chorus really kick in, however, the song becomes a much bigger ballad.
The last track on here is “Get It Right,” which delivers another memorable hook in the beginning. The energetic drumbeats and catchy riffs accompany another very strong vocal performance as the song builds up to its choruses.
“Cheap Smokes And Champagne” contains five fantastic pop-punk tracks filled with captivating performances and many catchy hooks and instrumentals. Overall, this release is some of A Better Hand’s best work to date.
This EP is available on all streaming platforms, and if you like what you hear, you can keep up with A Better Hand on Twitter @ABetterHandBand and buy merch from their Bandcamp. If you’ve heard the EP, be sure to let us know what you think by tweeting us @lgndsoftmrw!
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