Three Cheers Too Late weaves authenticity into energetic new EP, Ernestine

Authenticity woven into a cohesive sound is one of the most important facts of a listener’s experience. Ernestine, the new EP from Three Cheers Too Late, combines both aspects for an energetic, yet touching set of songs. The EP continues the classic pop punk sound from the 2000s, reminiscent of bands such as Blink-182 in that era.

The EP begins with the song “Home Again,” the band’s most streamed song. The steady beat is the exact tempo that allows for a rush of energy, and subsequently a slower vibe to scream along to. The switch from the fast-paced lyrics to the more drawn out chorus is a fun dynamic with a build up and a spirited payoff. It’s a good opening song to set the tone and capture a listener’s interest.

The second song is “So Low,” which turns to rage as a form of catharsis. The song is a little faster, a little louder, a little more resentful. The energy drops off slightly without losing the feeling during the bridge, which is a quick spoken verse. Slowing down and quieting the sound during the bridge begins the transition to the next song, though the song doesn’t lose the message, instead carrying it through with lyricism and a steady guitar in a final chorus. The last chorus picks up after a quiet few seconds of rumination following the bridge, but never reaches the energy of the other choruses, instead easing out of the rage.

The calming of the end of “So Low” proves useful in the transition to the third song, “Your Room.” The song is slower and quieter than its two precedents. It is sadder and more regretful as well, but keeps a steady beat without dragging. While I was nodding my head without realizing it, I was also touched by the heartfelt lyrics in the song. My personal favorite lines are sung near the end of the song, before the final chorus:

I’m a mess now / stuck in my head how / it all repeats / death and defeat

I think this lyric definitely confirms that the songs come from a very real place of hurt in the writer’s life.

The second half of the album begins with the song “This Might Be It,” the second most streamed song of Three Cheers Too Late, thus beginning the cycle again of a popular, upbeat song flowing to a softer, sadding ending song. I very much appreciated the cyclical nature of this EP, even with just six songs. The fourth song, “This Might Be It,” is much more upbeat than “Your Room,” upping the tempo and the energy once again. It’s catchy, and I can see why it’s one of Three Cheers Too Late’s more popular songs. Similar to “So Low,” the song slows down at the end, keeping the energy and the meaning of the song throughout the end, but slowing down to transition to the last two.

The penultimate song of the EP is called “Everything, Everyone,” and I was immediately enamored with the harmonies in the first verse. The energy is a little calmer than “This Might Be It,” but not by much and I can see myself playing this loudly while driving with the windows down. The song gives time for quick guitar interludes, which highlights the instrumental background before showing off the vocals in the song. At the end, the song fades out slowly into silence, leaving a second before finishing off the EP.

The very last song, “Glitter and Glow,” came as a surprise to me. In the last second when “Everything, Everyone” quieted, I prepared for one last energetic, high tempo, guitar-heavy song to close out. However, I was met with soft acoustic strums and one voice singing out. The last song is completely different from the style of the other five, but somehow I felt as if it fit. The end of the EP’s journey ended with calm acceptance and a soft ending, as most things do in life. The fading out from the previous song made the switch not entirely unexpected or a total energy switch.

The EP itself flows well and carries through different emotions, which I definitely appreciate. However, despite the different songs and meanings, the sound is very cohesive, which gives a structure and gives Three Cheers Too Late its trademark style of music.