CastlefieldTunnel Vision

Hey pop punk fans, this one’s for you! Up and comers Castlefield have worn their heart firmly on their sleeve since they first stepped onto the scene in 2017 with the release of their three track EP, The Mascot. Not much has changed with EP no. two Tunnel Vision, their first release through Penultimate Records.

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Here, the quartet get a little deep and personal, serving up a healthy dose of feelings with their catchy hooks, off beat drumming and honest vocals. Flirting with pop punk and emo elements, Castlefield avoid the whole Groundhog Day factor that can plague both genres, crafting a sound that is its own beast. In massive part, this has gotta be attributed to the work of producer Anton Delost (Seaway) and audio master John Naclerio (My Chemical Romance, Senses Fail). With years of experience behind them, both douse the record with the best elements of both scenes.

Flirting with pop punk and emo elements, Castlefield avoid the whole Groundhog Day factor that can plague both genres, crafting a sound that is its own beast.

Treating their guitar sessions as therapy, the Canucks hit upbeat highs with their riffs, and self-deprecating lows with their lyrics. Bassist Matt Spafford has described the release as a “collection of songs written about the whirlwind of emotions one goes through in early adulthood”, and oh man does this ring true through the four tracker. Driven by this introspectiveness, Tunnel Vision borrows the best bits of both early noughties pop punk and the contemporary crop (appealing to the finger pointer in all of us).

With an EP this good, you know the next release is going to be an absolute cracker. More please fellas.

STICK THIS NEXT TO: Bukowski, Rarity, Bearings
STANDOUT TRACKS: Best Laid Plans, Joyless, Escape