Get Familiar with Familiar Spaces: New EP "Everyone in Search of an Exit" is a Step Towards Stardom
Rhode Island’s own Familiar Spaces are back with their second EP “Everyone in Search of an Exit,” a five pack of tracks that plays like a mini-concept-album.
The lead single for the EP, “In the Open,” came out all the way back in April and is definitely the most radio ready as it features what is probably the most catchy chorus of all the songs on the project. This is exemplified by the fact that it has double the amount of plays of any other Familiar Spaces track on Spotify (with over 35,000). My only qualm would be the vocal effect on the opening verse that was a little bit too Tony Hawk video game-sounding. Other than that, the message of the song, that being, according to the band themselves via Facebook, “accepting that you don’t feel okay and acknowledging that you need help,” is well served in the form of a serviceable pop punk jam.
The opening track, “Not Like it Used to Be,” which was also released as a single, sets the tone for the whole EP and immediately addresses the themes that will be present throughout the project, those being things like anxiety and isolation. The EP begins with thirty seconds of raging guitar. Things then slow down and these intrapersonal themes are confronted for the first time before the chorus solidifies what the point of this song, and the gist of the entire project, will be. The self doubt that is present for a majority of this project is presented in lyrics about falling behind while others move on. It perfectly sets the table for the next track.
“Happy Enough,” deals with the question the title of the track suggests and has some cool moments. Although it does feel like a song that’s already been written, as there definitely exists plenty of songs about whether or not a couple is “happy enough” to keep going. This song takes the self doubt theme and makes it about what happens when that self doubt affects a relationship, which is an interesting and somewhat unique take on the whole “Are we happy enough?” type song.
“You” features some cool harmonizing at the beginning but admittedly sounds like an American band covering a Moose Blood song or a softer Trophy Eyes song. The back half of this song feels like the peak of this EP, it is when things get their loudest, the lead singer gets his yelliest, and the themes that have been present throughout flesh themselves out the most. Although it is packaged in a way that feels like a song I’ve heard before, “You” serves the purpose of maximizing the tension of the EP and leading into what I think is it’s brightest point.
The fifth and final (as well as title) track, “Everyone in Search of an Exit,” feels like a release of the tension that builds up throughout the EP, a certain acceptance of the presence of these sometimes difficult to process emotions that Familiar Spaces deals with head on in the first four tracks. This song is the most fun instrumentally on the project, with the loose guitar to open the track and subtle, soft chords throughout that eventually lead to a final crescendo. “Everyone in Search of an Exit” was definitely my personal favorite and fully displays Familiar Spaces up-tempo prowess.
The way this project builds it’s tension shows that these songs were clearly ordered very intentionally. Although some tracks are better than others on their own, even the ones that miss a little do something for the EP as a whole. “In the Open,” and the title track are definitely strong enough to stand on their own, but both are enhanced when put into the context of the project as a whole.
There has not been much in the way of new music from Familiar Spaces since 2018, and this project definitely feels like a step in the right direction from their last EP “The Things We Love.” Familiar Spaces are still young, and the listener can hear that in their sound and lyrics. This type of youthful vulnerability is not a bad thing, and Familiar Spaces continues to produce meaningful and usually thought provoking pop-punk/emo/whatever type tracks that sound good and mean something simultaneously. Although I don’t know if Familiar Spaces themselves are yet completely sure what their sound is, their road to finding it seems to be getting shorter with this release. They are definitely an up and coming local band to keep an eye on.