Rust Belt Lights – Religion & My Ex

Sometimes all it takes is a poppy melody and a few good hooks to get listeners nodding in approval.  That’s what the energetic folks in pop-punk upstarts Rust Belt Lights are banking on with their sophomore full length, Religion & My Ex.  Twelve tracks of harmless fun rooted in the pop-punk styling of mid-career New Found Glory meets modern revivalists The Wonder Years.  As you can imagine, the Buffalo, New York quintet aren’t here to push the envelope, but to appeal pleasantly to the status quo.

To this end, Religion & My Ex comes out on top.  Opener “Wasted Wishing” combines the now classic combination of quick drumming and loosely melodic vocals that remain synonymous with pop-punk tailored to the mid-2000’s generation now in their early twenties.  Even with all the overlaying vocal gloss that comes with the territory, front man Zach Dietsch never hesitates to rough things up by belting beyond his clean range.  An energizing combination of gang vocals and musical ups and downs keeps tunes like “Dead Letters” or “There is An Ocean” from flat lining.  Even the methodically moving “Stolen Lines” sits well amongst its fist pumping brethren without becoming buried by the swiftness of follow-up “Parkside.”

As the tracks pass in sequence, Rust Belt Lights gloss over a variety of day-to-day topics and realizations.  From seizing the moment, to lamenting missed opportunities, pressing past self-doubt and letting go, the subject matter is relatable without being overbearing or becoming a centerpiece.  Religion & My Ex is a pop-punk album, and the topics match accordingly.  The themes aren’t overly ambitious, nor are they as personable as say, The Wonder Years, but they get the job done in typical pop-punk fashion. 

Much like Rust Belt Lights’ previous efforts, Religion & My Ex generates ample enjoyment.  Listeners won’t be hit by anything they haven’t heard before, but pop-punk fans should enjoy the simple back to basics approach.  Like putting on a well-worn jacket or your favourite pair of slippers, Religion & My Ex is familiar and comfortable – and sometimes that’s all you need.