Pop rock band, One Flew West, is back with solid-heavy hooks and catchy lyrics in hand. Their new EP Trial & Error, released late January, features five tracks loaded with influences all across the board, making for a truly unique listening experience.
The Rocky Mountain four-piece was formed back in 2010, and what started as a high school garage band in the small town of Longmont, CO has morphed into a full-force entity, hell-bent on taking over the music scene. Their sound is a combination of pop rock with dashes of indie and folk influences thrown in; all of which works together to create a sound that’s authentically their own. Trial & Error is quite possibly the best portrayal of what One Flew West has to offer, earning praise from Alternative Press and Idobi Radio, and a spot on the Spotify playlists “The Scene” and “Pop Punk’s Not Dead”.
The title track is by far, a standout on the EP. It’s an upbeat, cheery way of saying “f*ck you in a million different ways” to all the things that try to poison the world around you and to start living your life for you. Its tongue-in-cheek lyrics explain that while the current state of the world is less than desirable, that doesn’t mean you have stop let that stop you from living your dream and going after what you want.
Moving right along, the band keeps things light and airy with “What Do I Know”. It’s a catchy, coming-of-age tune about growing up and the uncertainty that comes with it, perfectly capturing the trials we’ve all faced while getting older. “Best Worst Thing” tells of a love gone wrong. It’s yet another example of going through the motions, all the “sweat, blood and tears” that accompany falling in love, only to end up out of luck.
The track “Staying In” abandons the pop-infused harmonies that we’ve come accustomed to and introduces us to more of an alt rock feel with elements of folk mixed in. It’s a great display of the band’s versatility and their grittier, punk rock influences. “Out of Time” wraps things up with its soft, indie vibes and soothing lyrics.
Trial & Error serves as the perfect example of the band’s growth and transformation into the musicians they are today. From dominating the local scene in Denver, to crash-landing into the current world of pop rock; proving to everyone why One Flew West is the band to watch.