EP Review: No Take Backs-April Showers

Pennsylvania emo pop-punk band No Take Backs builds an EP of powerful nostalgic intrigue and poetic cadence with their new release, April Showers.

No Take Backs. It's a name in the emo pop-punk stratosphere that one probably hasn't picked up on their playlists, but when one does, it makes you wonder why you had not heard of them in the first place. A band built out of the remnants of vocalist/guitarist Tyler Dibble's prior band, Brighter Days, No Take Backs would develop from a little saying shared amongst friends to something that would grow to mean something deeper. It's a phrase that means to look forward, yet despite leaving the past behind, No Take Backs is brimming with nostalgia and melodic intrigue that takes one back to the classic sounds of emo pop-punk, yet brings this sort of dream-like quality that makes it feel like a sunset on a summer day, those few moments of the day where the sky makes you feel like the world is at peace before those pink and purple colors disappear into the black of the night. It's this small piece of nostalgia, the ebb and flow of emotions, and peace that their new EP, April Showers, lives in, and from start to finish, No Take Backs grows from being a band you aren't familiar with to a band that feels like you have been listening to them for years.

April Showers opens with a captivating invitation into an evocative realm of emo-infused pop-punk, starting strong with tracks like "Before You're Gone," featuring the bright vocal cadence of Altered Pink and the infectious energy of "Caught Up." As the sun-kissed guitar strings intertwine with ethereal synths, one is enveloped in a warm, nostalgic haze. The punchy yet melodically rich vocals soar above this vibrant landscape, creating an atmosphere that feels both expansive and intimate. It's evident from the outset of this EP that the band excels in weaving together poetic lyrics and immersive soundscapes, making for a truly enchanting listening experience.

Anxiety-ridden experience "Overthinking" and haunting moment "To Be A Ghost" continue this wistful journey of complicated emotions, with "Overthinking" integrating these fuzzy, gritty guitar riffs and raw, open-hearted, earnest percussive energies that perfectly create an experience of angst and sadness before diving into the gorgeous and eerie track "To Be A Ghost." With delicate guitars slowly moving into robust and echoing drums and then effortlessly dancing their way into a burst of energetic instrumental energies, it becomes one of the best examples of the talent No Take Backs has, and it is something that continues well into the farewell track, "Another Night."

"Another Night" gracefully concludes this immensely gratifying EP. The standout aspect of this track is how No Take Backs gently shifts the energy with a stripped-down, acoustic sound, creating an intimate, reflective atmosphere. This choice doesn't diminish the emotional intensity or the masterful songwriting that April Showers has consistently delivered throughout the EP. Instead, it beautifully encapsulates the journey, ending this passionate and heartfelt record on an uplifting note, leaving listeners with a lingering sense of fulfillment.

April Showers is one of those EPs that, in a remarkably short span, washes over listeners like refreshing rain, purging emotional turmoil and elevating the band to a lofty artistic peak. One of the strongest qualities of this record is its sense of familiarity, yet No Take Backs masterfully navigates the delicate balance between powerfully fueled nostalgia and an invigorating burst of new energy, encapsulating the essence of the genre and blending cherished memories with an infectious vitality that lingers long after the last note fades.