Review Summary: If I listened to the words I used to write, they'd tell me that I always wanted this kind of life.
I stumbled upon this young English band while browsing through Bandcamp. I was in desperate need for some pop-punk in the year which seriously lacks this genre. I was attracted by the summery cover, which is obviously very well-done. The album didn't disappoint, in fact it was a little surprising.
After few listens, the hooks started to show themselves. The non-instant catchiness is quite common with the new pop-punk bands and Fear of Missing Out is a shining example of this. The interestingly titled lead single "People in Glass Houses Sink Ships" for example, contains an unbelievably infectious chorus, despite sounding very pedestrian at the first listen. What actually helps, is the unpolished production and the imperfect voice of the singer.
Looking at the cover, the album is expected to sound like a typical 2010s pop-punk band. However that's not true, as Fear of Missing Out sounds as if it was done 15 years ago. If I was to compare it to something, it would be the first Brand New record.
The album closes with its most emotional piece. "I Wrote Off My Tape Deck" is the song I return to most and one that keeps me coming to the album. It's everything you'd want from a pop-punk ballad. Sentimental, nostalgic, relatable. These qualities are valuable in the genre and Losing Sleep are a band, which can certainly provide them.
