Besties drop last ever ep 'late to the party'
Sydney pop-rock collective besties have dropped their final EP ever. Yes, after 4 years of releasing anthems and touring alongside legends such as Maggie Lindemann and Teenage Joans, the band have decided to call it a day, this EP acting as a last hurrah. Each track here feels intentional, a serenade and celebration of all they have created in their career.
The EP commences with a celebratory goodbye, a “Congrats” to all that the band has achieved over their career, as well as a goodbye to the scene and fanbase they have curated. It’s not sad and hopeless, “congrats, you’re so back”. It’s an ode to the fans, encouraging us to “celebrate the end”, and remember the music lives forever. A fast paced and witty track sets the wholesome yet vulnerable tone for the rest of the EP.
“Funeral” is plucked right from a 2000’s movie, starring an angsty teen figuring out how to navigate life. It’s campy yet solemn, as the group reflect on the time they spent together, the struggles they went through and touch on the struggles us fans didn’t see “They don’t know what I’m going through”. Sonically, ‘Funeral’ is a hip-hop fueled ‘dude in a pop punk band’ anthem that makes you want to dance. “Call me crazy or delusional, dress up for my funeral” suggests that despite ceasing work as a band, they are not giving in to what haters may have projected onto them.
Track 3, “plug”, is a loud, comedic and poppy anthem laced with heavy drums and catchy guitar riffs. Despite being less obvious, the track still alludes to this being the end, “I don’t wanna say another goodbye”. I think this is my favourite on the EP; sonically it’s so satisfying and the lyrics are guaranteed to make you giggle. It breaks up the EP nicely,
“Ashtray” slows it down a little, a more reflective track focusing on a specific, "positively toxic” relationship. Rappy vocals still dominate the verses, but a strong melodic voice shines over the chorus, curating an earnest atmosphere. Each sound is intentional, sound effects popping out during verses adding depth and meaning to what’s being sung.
The single, “Deadmou5” is an anthem for all of us “refusing to surrender to expectations and conventional ideas of adulthood”, the namesake a staple of many millennial teenage years. It’s a fun loving track, exuding the lust for life some of us have lost in recent years, taking me back to when life was simple. Whilst slightly self loathing, the guitar ridden pop rock beat holds a sense of optimism towards the uncertain future.
“Anti-everybody” features a screamy rap from Dreggs’ Christopher Makertich, ending the EP with a moody, angsty banger. A release of anger, anxiety and hopelessness. The optimism and gratitude from the former part of the EP are lost, as the group says quite literally “Before I go I gotta let you know, I don’t fuck with you”. The definition of going out with a bang, this track stands out as deeper, darker and perhaps more honest, stripping away the humour and opening up a hidden emotion before their time is up.
As sad as it is to see them go, this EP is more than we could have asked for. There’s a track for everyone on here, from optimists to pessimists, comics to realists. Go ahead and wish the gang well on Instagram, i am certain that the four of them are far from done in terms of independent creativity. I saw them open for Yours Truly a few years back and was genuinely wowed by the atmosphere they curated, even as an opening act. I hope they each feel sincerely proud of all they have created as well as the mark they left on the scene, their devotion to pop-punk lives forever in their music.
