Album Review: Troubled Coast - I've Been Thinking About Leaving You EP

California seven piece has courted their fair share of the internet equivalent of column inches with a slew of releases in their short life span. Plenty of this occurred after similarities between a song off their release 'Letters' and a La Dispute song 'Damaged Goods' were noted by fans and critics.

An incredibly honest statement from the band addressed these issues, with the promise that their newest release 'I've Been Thinking About Leaving You' would be less “derivative”.

Success on this front has also translated to a fantastic EP, though there is no avoiding the fact that the 'poetic' delivery of lyrics, coupled with a brand of post-hardcore, creates a ubiquitous sound that some will dismiss. Fans of La Dispute, Touche Amore and mewithoutYou will enjoy this, crucially, without fearing that their favorite bands are being shamelessly copied.

Tracks like 'Patient Hands' and 'La Jette' show a definite progression in the band's songwriting. 'Patient Hands' benefits from guest vocals from The American Scene's Matt Vincent. It's surprising how much they lift the song, considering there are so many unique voices present just from the band members, but Vincent really brings a new dynamic to the song. 'Patient Hands' remains the best example on the EP where the poetic delivery and clean vocals are integrated and it's this direction that seems to provide the most effective way for Troubled Coast to carve out their own niche.

There isn't a bad song on the EP, and older fans will lap up 'I'm Still a Loner, Dottie', harking back to some of their previous output. However, the overriding feeling is one of progression, and in just four songs that is an impressive achievement. Keep your eyes on this seven piece, they may have gone from being labelled imitators to propelling the genre forward to a larger audience.

4/5

Nick Robbins

'I've Been Thinking About Leaving You' is out January 17th through Pure Noise Records.