EP REVIEW: Buds. – Stop.

Melodic pop punk sensibilities are mixed with moments of hardcore aggression and flourishes of slightly mathy riffing, all of that brought together with anthemic vocals that perfectly balance melody with rawness

Born out of the dissolution of their respective DIY bands, emo four-piece Buds. have been around since 2019, and in that time have dropped two EPs that have cultivated them a small yet passionate following. This year sees them their third EP, ‘Stop.’, which now represents their final project featuring bassist Zoe.

On ‘Stop.’, Buds. present a bite sized collection of tracks that encapsulates the subtle complexities of adulthood, from yearning for a meaning, to growing alongside and apart from those close to you. Melodic pop punk sensibilities are mixed with moments of hardcore aggression and flourishes of slightly mathy riffing, all of that brought together with anthemic vocals that perfectly balance melody with rawness.

Tracks such as ‘Slide’ and ‘Do It For’ both pack superb breakdown segments sandwiched between choruses that are guaranteed to have you singing along, whilst the killer opener ‘Medicinal Cathedral’ feels a little Birds in Row in nature, with its phenomenal post-hardcore pummelling that simply refuses to give up any momentum.

The tracks hold up on the lyrical front as well, with the soaring closing track ‘Meet You There’ perfectly capturing those bittersweet feelings of seeing a friend succeed, but losing the strength of that friendship in the process. ‘Do It For’ on the other hand really leans into that sense of longing for purpose and being weighed down by the absurdity of the world, a theme that feels present throughout the entire EP. 

For Zoe, ‘Stop.’, proves to be a high point worth stepping out with. For the rest of the band, however, ‘Stop.’ represents the latest and greatest accomplishment in their careers so far. The perfect soundtrack to weighty feelings of existential dread, Buds. provide a tonic to make it all seem a little less daunting through their punk revelry. And in the end, isn’t that what punk is all about?

RATING: 80/100 – Very Good

For Fans Of: Origami Angel, Kerosene Heights, Birds in Row, Careful Gaze, happydaze 

Physical copies of the EP are available here.

Follow the band on social media below:

Instagram // Twitter // Spotify // Bandcamp