ColumbusSpring Forever

Columbus’ hometown of Brisbane has three seasons: Hot And Rainy (December-January), Reasonably Pleasant (April-July) and Hot (the rest of the year). As far as the weather goes, it’s not known for its subtlety or adhering to the northern hemisphere’s traditional four seasons. It makes sense then, that Columbus’ singer-guitarist Alex Moses uses the idea of the season of Spring as a stand-in for the feeling of young love—where everything feels fresh and new before it gets too intense (or sweaty).

Spring Forever is a great demonstration of just how much feeling can still be wrought from a guitar-bass-drums trio writing pop-punk songs about lost love.

From plaintive opener Summer Dress through the stomping mid-album triple punch of Hopeless, Broken Glass and Replace Me to the surprisingly upbeat title track, Spring Forever is a great demonstration of just how much feeling can still be wrought from a guitar-bass-drums trio writing pop-punk songs about lost love—particularly when you have a producer of the calibre of Jay Maas (Defeater, Title Fight) making sure everything is as tight as it should be.

Columbus’ influences are easily spotted on Spring Forever, but it’s endearing rather than grating. It reminds me of another Aussie band’s debut album where the earnest singer-guitarist tried on an American accent, occasionally yelled and wore his influences on his sleeve: Elsewhere For Eight Minutes by Something For Kate. It kickstarted Paul Dempsey and Something For Kate’s careers and sparked a die-hard fan base. Hopefully Spring Forever will do the same for Columbus.

STANDOUT TRACKS: Replace Me, Hopeless, Raindrop
STICK THIS NEXT TO: Jimmy Eat World, Balance and Composure, Taking Back Sunday

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Spring Forever is out today through UNFD