The Red EP, a quick collection of three songs by New York punk rock outfit Bayside, is a straight-to-the-point EP full of the band’s signature sounds and attitude. These songs showcase all the prime aspects of this band, from vocalist Anthony Raneri’s aggressive and pointed vocal performances to the blaring and hard-hitting instrumentals. The band have abandoned the conventional idea of an album release cycle, instead making the decision to release music as they see themselves inspired. Instead of opting for the modern day method of continuous strings of singles, however, the band maintains the approach of releasing full collections of music. The Red EP is the result of the first of many recent writing sessions for Bayside, and if it is any indication of what the band is capable of in the year 2022, fans are sure to be excited for further releases.

“Strangest Faces” begins with a chilling vocal from Raneri before exploding into a swinging anthem of heavy riffs and haunting imagery that set the pace for what is to come in the following two songs. The song itself presents a commentary on interpersonal relationships gone bad. Singing in the chorus “yellow teeth and scary eyes…looks like heaven, why’s it hot as hell?” Raneri frames the song’s theme behind horror-themed imagery, reflecting on past relationships and coming to the realization that perhaps they were not as healthy as they seemed to be at the time. “Good Advice” is a modern take on classic Bayside. Fun and fast paced with an anthemic chorus posing a relatable lyrical theme, this song sits among their vast catalog as an absolute standout. Track three, “Just Like Home” marries the haunting imagery and thrilling energy of the past two songs before it, bringing the EP to a satisfying conclusion that feels like a complete idea and a cohesive collection of songs, while simultaneously leaving the listener eager to hear more of this refined and polished take on Bayside’s trademark brand of punk.

The Red EP presents a modern take on a classic sound from a long-time staple band in rock music, with a present-day level of production value that still retains the band’s signature punk edge but makes the band continue to feel fresh and exciting. Fans old and new alike will find themselves immensely satisfied with this release and are sure to be anxiously awaiting the next set of songs to come from the band.

7.5/10