Returning to a passion once left can be difficult. The initial sacrifices, the hardships endured, where surprises and expectations broadly cast shadows over one another. Working to meet success pallidly pales as opposed to having the opportunity to make art and be compensated for it. Two starkly different modes of creation in which compensation is not the measure of success, but can crumble the meaning of it. Whether the work meets deadlines with passion or falls flat; the only individuals who can spot such intentional gestures are the onlookers. A true work of passion can be spotted. If the work spreads a genuine smile across our faces, then why question it? Why leave? Floridian, classic pop punk band Yellowcard recently answered these questions on their comeback EP.
“Childhood Eyes” is the third EP and comeback effort by Florida quartet, Yellowcard. After a five-year breakup, the band returned with five new songs released by Equal Vision Records. While most bands experience some form of artistic atrophy that comes with time away, Yellowcard returned to their distinguished brand of pop-punk with the freshness and eagerness of a new band along with the new wave of pop punk bands. The EP is cognizant of how much time has passed since the conceptualization of the band and exhibits everything that has been learned.
“Three Minutes” is a fast-paced enjoyable track. Where most comeback first tracks are the initial return effort, the band snaps back into their own brand of catchy, innovative pop punk. Keeping in line with classic pop punk composition, vocalist, lyricist and frontman for the band, William Ryan Key’s lyrics take the process of songwriting and the sentiment of burnout at the end of the band’s career back in 2018 to paper for the nearly 3 and half minute track. Key brilliantly vocalizes, “Once a jet setter, red letter kid/Everyone come and see what I did/All the missteps I made left my heart/With a mark, mission, brand, and a scar/Now that age is a number indeed/Maybe this time I’ll dream thinking free.” With sentiments of remorse and rediscovery, the fast-paced track employs and artistically integrates the lyrical theme reinforcing the melody with notes of reinvigoration and innovation furthered by innovative drums.
“Childhood Eyes” is the breakout single from the EP and lives up to the previous track’s attention to melody and tight production of the background track. The chorus is catchy and the lyrics are well paired with the choral structure of the background track. The titular track of the EP further explores rediscovery and youthful beauty through the progression of the track. Key sings, “I found, I found my childhood eyes/Am I the only one who ever wonders why/Love leaves me empty every time/Am I the only one who isn’t dead inside/Maybe you’re jaded, maybe you’re blind/Am I the only one watching with childhood eyes.” While the lyrics contemplate withering, there is a subtle tone of the denial of cynicism furthered as the track ends with the final lyric echoing out, “I am the love you need.” It highlights how individuals lose their sense of curiosity and discovery, as they grow old and tired. Ending the track on such a positive note, enables involvement from thelistener and pushes the listener to interact with what makes the track enjoyable.
“Hiding In The Light” is a head-banging jam about creation. The track itself is also the second single from the EP and ignites with fun guitar work from guitarist Ryan Mendez, supported by Key himself as the rhythm guitarist. The two guitarists establish a dynamic both with intriguing riff structures and a bouncy rhythm that seamlessly shifts from verse to chorus structure in the band’s signature pop punk flare. Key’s lyrics on creation further add to the amusing sentiments on being able to assemble something, “All this traveling in time/Trying to pull myself apart/You were hiding in the light/I was drowning in the dark/Now I’ll choose life, and I’ll get by/And sing until the day/All this traveling in time/Trying to pull myself apart/It’s over.”
“Honest From The Jump” is the point at which the EP loses traction. While Key’s lyrics are well-written and cognizant about dishonesty for instant gratification becoming more prevalent in society, the music for the track is lackluster. Key sings, “Just one street corner kiss/Content creation bliss/Take, take, give nothing back (give nothing back, never ever)/Long live what will not last.” While the argument could be made that the track is a departure and could be considered experimental, the song falls flat musically. Where the drums could be a larger mobile component,there is little exhibition of musical nuance or desire to push forward, exhibitive of former rhythm talents of Longineu W. Parsons III who was their longtime drummer before the band’s split.
“The Places We’ll Go” is a compelling, emotive track that brings the EP to a close. Both acoustic and seemingly effortless, the track is a glimmer of the past, reflective in lyrical material and musically balladic. Key uses the audience as a metaphor to exhibit progress in talent and what the band has learned after two decades of being a band. Cognizant of progress and the passage of time, Key’s lyrics relate with the listener “Twenty years passed/It’s wild how fast/Were we ever that young?/The nineties were flying/And I was still lying/To myself and everyone.” While reminiscing of his youth, Key’s reflection subtly highlights the adaptation, learning in the time that has passed and noting the things time has taught him not just to be a better person, but a genuine artist.
Ultimately, “Childhood Eyes” is the call of a band looking to reclaim their spot at the top of their game. However, rather than proclaiming they are the best because of the longevity of their careers, the band is easing their way back in. Yellowcard is willing to stand with the newcomers of the modern age in order to highlight the importance of a level playing field, noting not just the importance of time, but the necessity to take time to learn what one needs to learn not just as artists, but as people first.
4/5
