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Fresh off of the release of the maxi single, “Fake a Happy Face!,” Alt-Pop trio Smallpools are back with a new EP, “Ghost Town Road (east).” The EP features the three songs of the maxi single: “Fake a Happy Face!,” “Motorbike (Wild Ones),” and “Night Shift.” But, the EP introduces two brand new tracks as well.

“Ghost Town Road (east)” kicks off with the never-before-heard record, “Swayze.” “Swayze” has an up-tempo beat, and brandishes Hyperpop and Electropop sounds. The song is a radio hit in the making. Track two, “Night Shift,” is an Indie Pop/Rock record that has a nostalgic feel to it. The song has a neat piano-laden breakdown in the middle. The EP then shifts to a fan favorite, “Fake a Happy Face!” The track is about rolling with the punches and staying positive in a life filled with turmoil. The song is a comforting, feel-good anthem with a catchy hook. The penultimate song, “Motorbike (Wild Ones),” is another previously released record. It is an Alt-Pop jam that is an amazing, wild ride for listeners due to the juxtaposition between the verses and the chorus, which makes the song so masterful and tuneful. Smallpools slow it down with the closer, “Caller ID.” “Caller ID” is an ode to a love interest. It is a lovely record and the perfect end to the five-track EP.

Smallpools certainly don’t disappoint with the EP. They enlisted various artists for the EP such as colin creeV of Third Eye Blind and Mitchy Collins of lovelytheband. “Ghost Town Road (east)” is part one of their upcoming LP, which is slated to come out later this year. While you wait for the album, go ghost and play “Ghost Town Road (east)” on a loop.

Follow Smallpools on Instagram (@smallpools) and TikTok (@smallpoolsofficial).

This review was made possible by SubmitHub.