American alternative pop trio Smallpools have featured a couple of times before on this blog. In 2021, they hit our radar when Jane shared their track and video Life Of The Party. More recently, she wrote about their single Motorbike (Wild Ones).
By Graeme Smith
Feature photo by Alex Berger
Now it’s my turn to run the rule some of their music thanks to the release of their new EP Ghost Town Road (east). Though the collection marks a new chapter for the trio, we don’t lose any of the anthemic quality of that we know and love them for. EP opener Swayze is a perfect case in point. It brings a touch of ’80s film soundtrack with it and keeps the emotion high through pleading vocals and a punchy pop-rock instrumental.
Night Shift is a bittersweet moment, combining pacy percussion with a sense of lonely melancholia. The melody in its soaring chorus will plant itself firmly in your head. Fake a Happy Face! manages a similar dichotomy, with moody, desperate lyrics paired with an arrangement that’s full of ‘f*ck it’ catharsis. It’s a highlight.
The aforementioned Motorbike (Wild Ones) sits as the penultimate track of the collection. It’s a cantering, nostalgic and singalong number that will have your heart stirring. Caller ID closes the record with some heart-breaking introspection, and a strong sense of conflicted romance.
When Smallpools first started out, their only ambition was to play on Monday nights at their local venue. From those humble beginnings have grown a band with a mature and memorable sound, musical talent aplenty, and a desire to keep pushing their music to new heights. Ghost Town Road (east) is a triumph.
Smallpools are guitarist Michael Kamerman, frontman Sean Scalon, and drummer Beau Kuther. Ghost Town Road (east) was written and recorded at Micheal Kamerman’s house in Los Angeles, USA, with collaboration from Third Eye Blind’s colin creeV and Mitchy Collins of lovelytheband. The EP is set to be followed by another which will act as the second part of a full-length album, out later this year.
The EP is out now via Nettwerk Music Group and you can check it out below.
