A swift farewell - 'hollow threats' ep review

a Swift Farewell might just be your new favourite emo/pop-punk band. Consisting of Ryo (Vocals), Dwayne (Drums), Sarah (Guitar) and Gabby (Bass), this four-piece from Sydney, Australia will bring the nostalgic sounds of late 2000's pop punk straight to your ears.

Their debut EP 'Hollow threats' releases June 6th and the band has given us early ears on the release. The EP has been described by the band themselves as a "six-track emotional onslaught". Following up that statement, the band told us that "Each track tells its own story of struggle — from depression and self-worth to betrayal and coming out — culminating in a body of work that’s as cathartic as it is confronting". With an introduction like that, I was eager to see what A Swift Farewell were offering to new listeners and current fans alike.

Track 1 - I never wanted this - Track 1 is a soft launch to the rest of the EP. The track BEGINS WITH MUFFLED VOCALS SINGING "i CAN'T GO HOME, THERE'S NO-ONE WAITING FOR ME". The echo behind the lyrics emphasizes that sense of aloneness. It sounds just like an echo chamber, a void, a space where no-one is listening. Although the track is only 1 minute 26 seconds, it packs a lot of emotion into a short amount of time. The lyrics "This broken home; My words alone Are tearing down your walls" echoes out at the end of the track. With such an intense opening, I wonder where the ep will take us from here on out....

Track 2 - silence - starting off With a similar sound to track 1, this song kicks off with faint vocals, light guitar strumming and the introduction of drums. Clean vocals kick in and we get our first taste of that classic pop-punk sound. The chorus is a brilliant contradiction - upbeat, catchy, singable, yet packed with lyrics like "The door’s right here and I’m getting tired Of trading my skin so you feel alive". It catches you off guard as you're happily bopping along to the music. The guitar at the end brings it all home. An addictive track for sure!

Track 3 - The Haunting (ft. Amariah from Future Static) - For fans of the scream, you'll be pleased with this one! The unique tones and styles presented by the vocalists switching between verse 1 and verse 2 gives the song that extra range. The addition of hard vocals adds in that extra kick. The bridge full of powerhouse screams blew me away! This track was full of goodness and I loved it from start to finish.

Track 4 - Just Breathe (ft. Besties) - The distant vocals coming into clear vocals is definitely a theme throughout the EP and seems like a signature move by the band. The band have told us that this is the focus track and that just breathe "captures the heart of the EP — a resonant anthem that embodies the emotional depth and honesty that defines the project." The vocals in this track are incredible. They're clean, they're emotional, and they have that pop-punk feel throughout. A swift farewell are brilliant at giving us emotional lyrics woven into a pop-punk anthem.

Track 5 - Hold me down - What starts off sounding like a romantic track quickly shifts in the chorus, jolting you to attention and drawing your interest to the lyrics and overall meaning of the song. Pre-chorus on verse two switches up the sound with vocal harmonies set against a quick beat, before amping up the guitar and drums for an impactful second chorus. This track is very Easy to sing and is catchy enough that you can sing the chorus again straight after listening.

Track 6 - Homeless - Rounding out the EP with an emotion-packed track, homeless is "A hug for anyone who's come out and found it harder than expected" (TikTok, a swift farewell). The track is extremely vulnerable and real. The band wrote on their TikTok that they are "standing with you, celebrating your courage, and offering space in this music". The almost Shakey, emotion-packed vocals set against the beautiful piano grabs at your heart strings immediately. The track slowly builds, amping up in instrumentals and vocal strength, before dipping down at the end. For anyone who needs that kind of supportive, non-judgmental hug, this song should be on repeat.

You can find more info on the band and links to all their socials here. I'll be keeping an eye on this band because there's sure to be exciting things to come!