Review by Dom Vigil
Denver’s One Flew West have delivered their hook-laden, incredibly honest and catchy as hell sophomore release, Trial and Error. These five bright and blunt tracks are the perfect way to start off the new year, from the political and angsty opening title track to the sweet closing song, “Out of Time.”
Opening the EP on a high note is “Trial and Error,” which quickly proves that the band has something to say and isn’t afraid to say it. The main hook – “I just wanna say fuck you in a million different ways” – leaves no room for imagination, and that’s perfectly fine. “Trial and Error” follows the tone of One Flew West’s previous work, which makes this EP a seamless continuation of their body of work.
That same infectiously catchy tone can be found in the next track, “What Do I Know,” which finds vocalist Linden Jackson admitting that he’s still young and doesn’t know everything about life. Lyrically, this song is something any twenty-something can relate to in lines like, “What the hell do I know? / I still feel like a child,” while sonically, it feels like a celebration of youth with high energy guitar works and massive, pounding drums. This track is a soon to be crowd favorite, as it makes you want to get up on your feet and scream the lyrics back at the band.
“Best Worst Thing” takes things down a notch and allows the band to show off a more vulnerable side to their sound. Then comes the southern rock influenced, radio-ready track, “Staying In.” This massive second to last song is sure to be another anthem for fans – it makes staying in at home sound like a great idea while shedding light on anxiety in a very upbeat tone.
Closing Trial and Error is the stunning love song, “Out Of Time,” and by the time the final track comes to an end, you’re sure to feel connected with One Flew West. The band easily manages to bear their souls within five tracks, from more humorous political songs like “Trial and Error” to honest cuts like “Out Of Time” and “What Do I Know.”
Sonically, these songs can verge on “safe,” as they don’t necessarily step away from the sound listeners have come to expect from the band, but this also means that they have successfully found their niche. With Trial and Error, One Flew West have fully established their own unique sound, which will allow them to continue to branch out and grow in the future. These high energy, catchy tracks prove that the band is constantly learning and growing and will certainly launch their career even further.
LISTEN TO: “What Do I Know”
STAY CONNECTED WITH ONE FLEW WEST: https://www.facebook.com/oneflewwestband/