Yellowcard - Childhood Eyes EP
Yellowcard
Childhood Eyes EP
Release Date: July 21st, 2023
Label: Equal Vision Records
Review by Jared Stossel
A growing trend amongst the bands that made up the pillars of the pop-punk and emo scenes has been to call it quits, host a final tour, and then a little under a decade later return with brand new music. I do not believe that this is a marketing tactic, as I’ve seen several people speculate. I think this is a result of burnout. If you’re touring ten months out of the year, then going into a studio to record a full-length album, only to immediately hit the road again, your creative well is going to run dry. I’ve seen it happen countless times. Around the time of the “break-up”, these bands feel like they’ve lost their sense of purpose, grasping for straws at the creative cup that once ran full, hoping to reignite the energy that once drove them around the world and back again. These “break-ups” are becoming essential for these acts, as it allows them to step away entirely from a project, and see what a world without their music in it looks like. Inevitably, that time off refills the creative well, and they come back into the echelon with a reprised sense of purpose, a work schedule that is better suited to their needs, and – most importantly of all – they’re happy again.
This renewed sense of purpose, creativity, and happiness bleeds through the five tracks that make up Yellowcard’s Childhood Eyes EP. It is the band’s first piece of new material since their 2016 self-titled album - which they swore would be their last - and their first release since reuniting on stage at last year’s Riot Fest in Chicago, which proved to be one of the weekend’s very best performances. With only five songs, this is a mere taste of the Yellowcard that I’m sure will be on the way with a full-length album, but it’s enough to satisfy the appetite of the hordes of fans that the band has amassed throughout the last few decades. Every song could fit right in on an album like 2006’s Lights and Sounds or 2007’s Paper Walls. This makes sense, given that they’ve once again paired with long-time producer and collaborator Neal Avron. Armed with optimistic lyrics and guitar-driven hooks reminiscent of the early days of the scene, Childhood Eyes is an excellent return to form for Yellowcard.
The EP clocks in around 20 minutes, starting aggressively fast and progressively slowing down with each song. “Three Minutes More” – featuring guest vocals from Vic Fuentes (Pierce The Veil) is fast-paced and would easily be at home on any day of the Vans Warped Tour. Fuentes and vocalist/guitarist Ryan Key are a great match on this track, and it feels like the band has been injected with a shot of adrenaline, coming back to life after a long, healthy resting period. The lead single is the EP’s title track, with lyrics touching on the idea of looking at the world and love with a renewed and wondrous perspective. “Hiding in Light” features some of the best dual guitar and violin work I’ve ever heard on a Yellowcard track, with Sean Mackin delivering one of the finest solos of his career. The pace slows further down with the track “Honest From The Jump”, featuring a somber-sounding bridge that builds into a confident conclusion. The EP reaches its calmest moment on the final track, “The Places We’ll Go”, which features none other than a brilliantly paired Chris Carrabba (Dashboard Confessional) duetting with Key.
Every song on Childhood Eyes makes some reference to love. In certain tracks, the subject of Key’s affection is clear, while in others, like “The Places We’ll Go”, it’s splendidly ambiguous. With lines like “And I wanna show the ways that I’ve grown”, is Key referring to a romantic relationship? Or is he referring to his love for the band and the legions of fans they’ve accumulated over the years? It works either way, with the acoustic anthem closing out the EP accentuated by a chorus of “woahs” and a run on violin from Mackin.
A lot can change in seven years. While it can be scary, change can be a beautiful thing that leads to rejuvenation and a clearer understanding of your path in life. Yellowcard has clearly taken the time off that they’ve needed, and with an extensive tour and new music under their belt, they’re ready to show the world all the places they’ll be going. Childhood Eyes is merely a sneak preview of that path, and I’m looking forward to walking that road in the years to come.
