Guitarist of The Wonder Years Matt Brasch is creatively candid while instrumentally nostalgic and beautiful on his new EP Days, Months, Blood, Sweat, Tears.
When you think of Matt Brasch, the guitarist and vocalist name is often connected to one of the most well-known names in the pop-punk genre, The Wonder Years. The supporting vocalist/guitarist has been busy working on other projects lately, much like the other band members. But when it came down to writing this EP, this was personal.
“Another gem on this EP is the nostalgic track, "I'm Not Getting Any Younger." While it feels that Brasch could not possibly get any better with time, indeed he does and proves it with this moment on the EP. Showing his duality as an artist, he accomplishes this with his songwriting and instrumentality, without getting too complex.”
During the creative process of Days, Months, Blood, Sweat, and Tears, the past few years were quite rough for the artist. Much like any performer, he enjoyed performing live in front of others. When the pandemic hit, all of that had been stripped from him. Until fairly recently, Brasch was able to do this again.
While at first, the pandemic seemed like the perfect time to recharge from being on the road, Brasch spiraled into an endless wave of depression and anxiety. To cope with all the stress, Brasch committed these emotions into writing. Thus, the EP Days, Months, Blood, Sweat, Tears was born. While many of the multi-instrumentalist songs did not make it to the EP, four of the songs have encapsulated what the muti-instrumentalist was thinking and feeling at the time.
The EP begins with a denuded number, "The Next Few Weeks." A beautifully emotional display of lyrical and instrumental emotion that sets the tone for the whole EP, Brasch has brilliantly taken his emotions and has given us a preview of what's to come on the EP.
Another gem on this EP is the nostalgic track, "I'm Not Getting Any Younger." While it feels that Brasch could not possibly get any better with time, indeed he does and proves it with this moment on the EP. Showing his duality as an artist, he accomplishes this with his songwriting and instrumentality, without getting too complex.
Other wonderful junctures on this EP are "Is it Too Late To Try?." A track that shows how fluid, transparent, gorgeously melodic Brasch can get, his versatility as a solo artist is what ultimately makes this track and this EP succeed.
Days, Months, Blood, Sweat, Tears is short but conveys so much in such a terse period. Brasch is delicate yet bold with his emotions on each track, reaching the same level and even surpassing some of the efforts he has done previously. Many will appreciate this EP, whether it be for its candid nature of it or the wonderful instrumental quality it possesses. For those looking for another pop-punk record that is honest and beautifully put-together, add this to your list.