Album Review: WSTR – Red, Green or Inbetween

Ryan January 16, 2017 202 Comments 306 views 0 likes

The entertainment industry is perhaps one of the most pressure filled industries that someone can get into. There’s a constant need to maintain a specific image or style while keeping a clean reputation as the spotlight is always shining, no matter how well known or how small someone is. The music industry adds an entire different layer to this pressure as musicians drive themselves nuts with their constant desire of perfection while at the same time, have a fan-base that lives on hype and expectations. When a band has this sort of persona to them, they tend to either rise above it and exceed expectations or unfortunately fall flat on their face. Hailing from Liverpool, pop punk outfit WSTR have had such a high level of expectation swirling around them for quite some time and with their debut album, Red, Green or Inbetween soon to be released for all to hear, the anticipation is at an all-time high, but does it deliver? The short answer: absolutely.

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Genre: Pop Punk
Label: No Sleep Records
Release: January 20, 2017
Connect: Facebook | Twitter
Purchase: iTunes | Google Play
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Red, Green or Inbetween is a very familiar sounding album, especially to those who live, breathe and die with the pop punk genre. That being said, it’s not a huge knock against the band or the record as WSTR have managed to make it feel and sound relatively fresh with its no-holds barred attitude and constant, upbeat energy that the record presents to listeners. Add to it that the bands writing style consists of painting a wholly realistic picture of what life is like in someone’s twenties and how people are lost, still trying to find their way in the so-called journey of life. The outcome is WSTR not attempting to reinvent the genre as the record is pop punk through and through, never really deviating. Instead, they’ve added their own flavor to the genre, wholly embracing their sound and style of music which has resulted in an extremely fun, relatable record that will have listeners yearning for Summer upon first listen.

WSTR – Nail The Casket (Thanks For Nothing)

‘Nail The Casket (Thanks For Nothing)’ from the debut full-length album ‘Red, Green or Inbetween’ out now! ► Merch/Vinyl/CD: http://store.nosleeprecords.com/catalogs/wstr ► Buy RGOI Digitally: http://nosleeprecords.lnk.to/wstrYT ► Listen to WSTR on Spotify: https://play.spotify.com/artist/0ofhRkasSdhp6LUs7tFcF7 Follow WSTR on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wstrband Follow WSTR on Twitter: @wstrband – Lyrics Tell all your peers and all your friends you’re done You’ve had enough Before you get ahead of yourself I’m here to grab my stuff Why do girls take turns in leaving me to burn?

When it comes to how the record is put together, there’s an underlying bounce to the production that helps keep the sound moving forward, which is further exacerbated by the instrumentation that Red, Green or Inbetween draws inspiration from. That is, there’s an ever so slight hardcore tinge to the foundation of the sound that WSTR have created, which helps further push forward their desire to create a raw, real and relatable record. More so, this tinge also helps in the instrumentation as the record moves at a relatively fast pace with the nonstop momentum between each track as WSTR have brought an incredible energy to all of their songs. At the same time, Red, Green or Inbetween manages to flow quite smoothly from track to track – once again, thanks to the energy brought forth. There’s rarely a lull in sound or tone except for the slightly slower “Eastbound & Down”, which manages to be honest, light-hearted and flexible in sound, making it the true must hear song.

From the incredible expectations set forth from their own fan-base and that they have on themselves, WSTR have absolutely delivered on what people are ultimately expecting. Red, Green or Inbetween hits all the right spots for longtime pop punk fans, leaving a feeling of nostalgia while still delivering a sound that welcomes non-fans. From the opening riff on “Featherweight” to the final note on “Punchline”, this is a record littered with songs that are light and jumpy due to the constant energy, ever so slight hardcore tinge to the sound and catchy hooks, ultimately giving listeners a desire to sing along to every note.