Earlier this year, when we featured Eddie Rascal’s last EP, guitarist and vocalist Mac Hunt revealed the record was intended to be the first in a two-part series, one that would redefine the group as artist and musicians. And indeed, Be Better. proved to be major step forward for the band. With its effusive songwriting and cathartic energy, the three-song collection reflected the work of a group who were beginning to connect the dots as a unit and finding their collective voice.

Eddie Rascal - As You Grow.

“With Be Better. we felt like we had finally established a sound that we were really happy with,” says Hunt. “It was far more unified and cohesive than our previous records and represented a new start for us.”

Today, Eddie Rascal unveil the next step in their evolution with the premiere of As You Grow., a new EP meant as both a sequel and companion to Be Better. The four-song effort sees significant strides forward in the band’s development with songs that are wittier and more cleverly written. Whereas Be Better. often relied on pure pop-punk verve to do the heavy lifting, the band took a more thoughtful and nuanced when constructing the new record. This attention to detail shows not only in the form of sharper hooks and more intricate guitars, but also in the EP’s production, which sounds crisper and fuller than its predecessor.

“We put a lot more thought into writing and preproduction and tried to make each song unique, while still a part of a larger piece,” Hunt reveals. “We’ve grown as musicians and keep figuring out ways to play off of each other’s strengths and I think that’s really apparent when you compare the two records.”

Opening with the springy power pop of “Bad Karma” and its rousing yet exasperated chorus (I’ve got a lot of shit to deal with / Do I also have to deal with you?), As You Grow. soon finds itself revisiting many of the themes that Eddie Rascal have explored in the past—messy relationships, the perils of addiction, and growing older. But rather than wallowing in the darkness or succumbing to heartache, songs like the taut and propulsive “Plastic Doorman” and its jaunty follow-up “Sharon is Karen” reveal a kind of pensive distance, a wisdom earned from self-reflection and learning from past mistakes. The result is a stirring record wound tight with energy and conviction, with a bit of hard-earned hope thrown in for good measure.

“Both records are about growing up, both personally and as a group,” says Hunt. “The songs on Be Better. were written in the midst of a lot of turmoil and life changes for me, but with As You Grow. I feel like I was able to look back at these experiences as a slightly more stable person and pull positivity from them. Both records deal with somewhat dark themes at times, but the new songs approach those themes from a better place.”

Eddie Rascal will celebrate the release of As You Grow. tomorrow night, Sept. 1 at 529 alongside Baby Baby, Dinner Time and Hard Fabric. Doors open at 9 p.m. Admission is $7. 21+ to enter.

More Info
Bandcamp: eddierascal.bandcamp.com
Facebook: @eddierascalband
Instagram: @Eddie.Rascal