The latest offering from Prince Edward Island-based Little Cities comes at an inopportune time – the perfect party soundtrack, during a time when partying is in direly short supply. The self-titled EP feels like it exists in a singular world, booze-fuelled confessions taking place across the same hectic Friday night.
“Wasted” opens the EP by complaining about a flakey relationship that only flares to life when liquor is involved. “Can I Come Over” acts in opposition, and could maybe even be considered an alternate take on the situation – insisting that taking a risk on their relationship is only going to work under booze-enhanced bravery. It’s all driven by a healthy amount of synth, a staple when it comes to many Canadian pop-punk icons.
Little Cities bagged some heavyweight producers for this EP. Paper Lions member Colin Buchanan returns for his second EP working with the band. They also worked with Gavin Brown (Metric, Billy Talent, Three Days Grace), as well as their first collaboration with Davor Vulama, who has producing credits in countless projects across the musical and television world.
Though the majority of the songs don’t tread any sort of fresh thematic territory, the band is skillful when it comes to their delivery. This shines particularly on “‘Bout You”, where the Fall Out Boy-esque wordplay could be a scrapped feature from From Under The Cork Tree. “Your ship has sailed and my ship is sinking, getting mixed up in the mixed drink thinking,” is a tongue twister that’s a perfect companion to the frantic combination of synth and guitar.
A few of the songs venture into more serious territory, though they’re never any less lively than their counterparts. “Ditch Flowers” ends the EP on a more sombre note, implementing soft piano over wailing guitar. Lead single “Roots” takes a step back from pop-punk traditions and, instead of demonizing small towns and humble beginnings, choose to embrace and celebrate those things instead. For a band whose very name is a nod to such a thing, it doesn’t come as much of a surprise.
That’s a good bulk of the charm when it comes to Little Cities. Subverting expectations seems to come easily to them, whether it’s flipping tropes on their head or adding modern flair to a more classic sound. Either way, it results in a fun, easy listen, one that’ll be sure to hold you over until you’re able to embark on some adventures – drunken or not – of your own.