EP REVIEW: A Light Between Oceans – What Happens Next?

’…simply a great little EP that packs all of the punch and drama that you could want from your post-hardcore…’

Based out of Norfolk, A Light Between Oceans are a band with a clear vision and direction; to bring back those iconic sounds of 00’s post-hardcore, and polish them up for a modern audience. Their debut self-titled EP released back in 2022, and the band have returned once more this year with their second EP, ‘What Happens Next?‘, which sees them doubling down on their creative mantra in all the right ways.

A modern myth that seems to be gaining increasing traction is that the worth of art is based upon how far it pushes boundaries; a song that does not aim to revolutionise the genre in which in inhabits is worth no attention or regard. That, however, is completely incorrect; sometimes, the finest music comes from an artist or band that are doing not just what they are good at, but what they enjoy.

‘What Happens Next?‘ is a prime example of this; A Light Between Oceans wear their 00’s influences on their sleeves, even cheekily admitting on their social media that they are bringing the sounds of 2004 to 2024, and the end product is a brilliantly energetic, heartfelt, and fun EP that is guaranteed to go down an absolute storm with fans of early, emo-infused post-hardcore.

The title track opens with soaring walls of rapturous guitars, before plunging into an energetic, vibrant post-hardcore rollercoaster. With plenty of rhythmic switch-ups, noodling guitar riffs, and emotive and perfectly over-dramatic vocal deliveries, this track immediately goes for the jugular. The band’s usage of backing vocals across the entire EP is brilliantly executed, adding some huge weight to the apex points of each track, and this song is no different; the choruses not only pack wonderfully catchy melodies, but elevate the track to a truly anthemic level.

Even the production and mixing here makes the EP feel like it might have been created alongside the likes of Coheed & Cambria’s ‘Second Stage Turbine Blade‘, or maybe My Chemical Romance’s ‘Three Cheers For Sweet Revenge‘; the way in which the raw, scrappy nature of the shredding rhythm guitars collides with the piercing electricity of furious lead guitar melodies is pure nostalgic bliss. Moments such as the climactic choral ending of ‘Emerald‘, however, are permitted more polish, leading to a wonderful ebb and flow between raw punkish fury, and expansive, dramatic passages.

Perhaps one day A Light Between Oceans will produce a sweeping, avant-garde, multi-phased suite that will revolutionise post-hardcore as we know it, but as long as they keep producing bangers like this, they won’t need to. ‘What Happens Next?’ is simply a great little EP that packs all of the punch and drama that you could want from your post-hardcore. Well-produced, well-performed, and well-delivered, if you feel like getting out your most excessive eyeliner and rocking a flip-phone, then this is the emo listen for you.

RATING: 78/100 – Mostly Very Good

For Fans Of: Coheed & Cambria, My Chemical Romance, L.S. Dunes, Thrice, The Receiving End Of Sirens

Follow the band on social media below:

Instagram // Spotify // Twitter