Upset, '76, 2015

EP Review

Since 2013's She's Gone, I've been a big fan of LA's Upset. Their sound calls to mind a lot of the music that CoolMom and I bonded over during the early stages of our relationship: The big alterna-pop names of the early to mid 90s like Juliana Hatfield, The Lemonheads, Dinosaur Jr. Plus, there's the New Jersey connection with frontwoman Ali Koehler hailing from the Garden State.

I've only gotten to see the band live once, at the 2014 Don Giovanni Records Showcase. They're pretty much an LA band, and their trips to the East Coast have been somewhat infrequent and short. On '76, though, Koehler sings of missing New Jersey on "Home:" "I miss my home and what I know. Familiar streets and dirty snow." That's followed by "Away" which deals with some of the anxieties that come with striking out on your own, far from home: "Do you know where we go from here? 'Cause I can't take another year of just hangin' around."

Last year's single "Linus" makes an appearance here, and it's just as much of a pop punk beauty as I remember. "Pastey" is a messy (in a good way), droning, kind of stalker-y love song that benefits from the band's approach of recording the entire EP live to tape. Koehler sings of the freedom of her tween / early teen years in New Jersey on the relatable "Wonder."

'76 is seven 1 to 3-minute pop songs about those things from your past -- your home, your childhood friends -- that go into making you the person -- a little unsure of yourself, still finding your way -- you are today. The inclusion of a Jawbreaker cover ("Do You Still Hate Me") rounds things out; and, paired with the drumming of Patty Schemel (formerly of Hole), shows exactly where Upset are coming from in terms of influences. The additions of Lauren Freeman on guitar and Rachel Gagliardi of Slutever on bass and backing vocals are good ones, especially in the way Gagliardi's vocals complement Koehler's already distinctive singing style.

'76 is out now on Lauren Records, and you can stream it.

One of the shows I'll be missing when I'm on vacation with the family is the one featuring Upset and Colleen Green on April 10th at Shea Stadium in Brooklyn. It's a perfect stylistic match; and if I were around, I'd be there for sure. You should definitely go.