A year after the release of their debut EP Follow Your Nightmares, New Jersey/Pennsylvania/New York pop punk band Keep Flying released their second EP, Walkabout, on May 26th.
Filled to the brim with references to film and television, this EP is unlike anything I’ve ever heard before. A refreshing reminder of the golden era of pop punk before everything was about pizza, hating your hometown, and your ex-girlfriend, Keep Flying’s unique sound is accentuated perfectly by their horn section.
Yes, you read that right. No, they’re not a ska band.
In six songs, Walkabout will guide you on an emotional journey through heartbreak, addiction, anger, recovery, and optimism.
Songs like “High Cholesterol” and “Live Together, Die Alone” visit themes of self-acceptance and optimism for the future, while songs like “Miranda” and “Jamestown” provide a juxtaposition with themes of cynicism, resentment, and frustration with the human condition. Anyone who’s been following the Menzel brothers (frontmen Henry and D.Jay) will experience a very pleasant familiarity with the fifth track, “Misbehave”.
I’m not exaggerating when I say that Walkabout blows its predecessor (Follow Your Nightmares) right out of the water. This EP delivers on every front.
With emotional and powerful lyrics, as well as strong, driving music behind them, the only disappointment with Walkabout is that is isn’t longer.
Rating: 9/10
Favourite Song: Jamestown
Favourite lyric: “I can’t imagine what it’s like to live a life so numb, so devoid of all emotion. Look at what you’ve become.”
Watch the Keep Flying video for “High Cholestrol” HERE.
Walkabout was released May 26th, and is available on all online retailers, as well as www.keepflying.band