Wilder., Bad Bad Luck
Rude Records

Armed with a debut EP, musical duo Wilder. are here to add sprinkling of Long Beach onto the pop punk scene. Bad Bad Luck combines the Californian sunshine with a post-hardcore introspection, delivering pessimism with a delightful tongue-in-cheek charm that will leave you eager for more.

Opening track See Through immediately highlights Wilder.’s appeal – shimmering guitars and a bright, funky bassline dominate the track, the combination screaming SUMMER. Title-track Bad Bad Luck captures very much the same feel, a thriving pop punk track with a sharp twang of pessimism. Stephen Ramos’ vocals only heighten the bright energy of the duo’s sound, light and rough in all the right ways. At times Ramos’ voice feels similar to that of Oliver Tree – if Oliver Tree was to take on indie-punk that is.

The ‘indie’ leaning side of Wilder. is perhaps most evident on tracks like Oh No – the track opens on airy, floating vocals before propelling itself into a Two Door Cinema Club-esque blaze of drums. Wilder. don’t want to sound like every other pop punk band out right now, and tracks like this and the hypnotic Hang Up make it clear.

The duo aren’t strictly dedicated to ‘bright’ soundscapes, however. This is most notable on bitemytongue, serving as a darker, more evidently reflective track exploring feelings ‘burning up inside’ of the duo. The EP serves as a reflection on trying to move away from organised religion, so the conflicted, clashing instrumentals embedded in the track are quite fitting.

Wilder. are a refreshing triumph. If you’re into all things pop punk, this is an EP that should definitely not be missed out on.

Bad Bad Luck is out now.