Echo Scale™: 4.7/5
Let’s be real, pop-punk isn’t a monolith. You’ve got your 90s skatepark anthems that smell faintly of rebellion and cheap hair dye, and then you’ve got… well, the other stuff. For us purists, there’s a clear winner, and I’m stoked to report that London’s own Way More So are firmly, gloriously, and undeniably planted in the former camp with their latest single, “Yeah, Yeah, You’re Right!” So let’s grab this song by the balls, spin it upside down, and have a good look at its undercarriage.
A Blast from the Past, Delivered with a Punch
From the very first note, this track screams early 00s pop-punk. That intro? It’s pure Tom DeLonge worship, particularly nodding to his work in Box Car Racer. It’s a sonic handshake that lets you know exactly what kind of ride you’re in for – one laced with dry rollies and the distinct aroma of questionable beer. And just when you’ve settled in, the drums and bass kick in with a colossal bang, reinforcing that massive sound.
Vocals: A Beautifully Brutal Barrage
When it comes to the vocals, Way More So expertly treads the line between the melodic sneer of Tom DeLonge and the raw energy of Billie-Joe Armstrong. But the real magic lies in the rhythm and delivery; this is pure Alkaline Trio, and it works a charm. The lyrics aren’t sung so much as they’re yelled at you, a full-frontal assault, an insult delivered with undeniable impact. It’s not pretty, it’s not about vocal acrobatics, but it’s got guts, and that’s precisely what this genre thrives on.
The Unsung Heroes: Guitars, Bass, and a Drummer’s Heart
No one’s expecting John Petrucci-level shredding here, and thank goodness for that. What the guitars in “Yeah, Yeah, You’re Right!” do, they do exceptionally well: they drive the song, they stand out, and they sound absolutely massive. It’s a testament to well-written, influence-true work. As with any three-piece, the bass player is the unsung hero, doing a monumental amount of heavy lifting, providing the essential body of the song and keeping that colossal sound intact. To the bassist: I appreciate you. Seriously, you’re the backbone here, and you’re crushing it. They don’t hear that often, so I expect that has brought him to tears.
The drummer brings a welcome Sum 41 flavour to the mix, adding a hefty dose of aggression to the choruses, which I’m a huge fan of. My only minor point of contention, and it’s purely on the production side, is that the kick sounds a little muted, the cymbals a tad thin, and the snare… well, it’s a bit papery. It doesn’t quite match the sheer size the song deserves, and that’s certainly not on the drummer’s performance.
The Verdict: A Middle Finger of Musical Magnificence
Overall, this song absolutely pops. It’s a welcome, immediate addition to The Echo Rebel playlist and has already found a home in my personal collection. If you’re like me, still wandering around in a f*cked up pair of Vans and telling people “Honestly, I could kick flip when I was younger,” then “Yeah, Yeah, You’re Right!” is an absolute must-listen. It’s a glorious middle finger to prettiness and overt melody, a raw and impactful work of art. Well done, gents. Keep ’em coming. Follow and Like these guys on the socials below:
