All in ur head is an American pop-punk band from Portland, Oregon who have just come to my attention thanks to the imminent release of their debut EP. A mix of nostalgia and modern edge, it’s called Hope is Gone.

By Graeme Smith

Hope is Gone is a collection of five tracks all about personal struggle, dealing with topics such as toxic relationships, childhood trauma, and emotional baggage. Despite the weight of the subjects, all in ur head deal with them in a lively and upbeat way, exorcising the demons of the past.

The EP opens with its title track. It’s a relentless start, with some huge drums and monster riffs right from the off. Expressive and emotional vocals come in, telling a story of heartache. It is, in many ways, classic pop-punk but all in ur head are definitely bringing something new to the genre. It’s an opening that demands you pay attention and keep listening.

Moon Baby slows things down with a ponderous tale of regret. A stripped-back first verse gives way to a hard-hitting chorus. The Old Me brims with a sense of weariness that is shaken off by its rousing rock arrangement. The vocals take on a particularly pleading quality in the verse. Stuck On You has an anthemic quality about it, with a soaring, airy hook that tempers the melancholy and angst of its lyrics. It’s a highlight.

Finally, we get an acoustic rendition of Hope is Gone. It introduces a sense of intimacy to the track’s story without losing any of its energy. It’s a final highlight.

All in ur head are frontman Travcon (real name Travis Jeffrey Bennett) and Sammi (real name Samantha DiPilato Bennett) on bass, vocals and lyrics. The pair met through a dating app and, musically, it’s a match made in heaven. Their debut EP is a collection for lovers of the golden era of pop-punk.

Hope is Gone will be out tomorrow, 22 December and you can pre-save it here.