“I’ve found the words I need to say, I’m holding them like potter’s clay.”
Pool Kids set out from a small niche to conquer a much bigger space. Their first record debuted them into the humble Midwest emo and math rock scenes, yet their 2022 follow up was so much more ambitious. It was a rare sophomore album that deserved to be self-titled, giving them an identity that married attention to detail with high-octane, accessible pop rock. Meanwhile, they maintained a sharpened edge by touring with a multitude of fantastic bands, and moonlighting as the hardcore band POOL, including doing a split-with-themselves (still lodged in our hearts). Easier Said Than Done is their keenly awaited third album, continuing down the pop direction defined by Pool Kids. It’s got all the subtle tricks that make them uniquely vibrant.
The record’s sound is defined by its wide instrumentation and attention to detail in all aspects. Most importantly, Christine Goodwyne’s vocals are back and are as brilliant as ever. She’s guitar-duelling with Andy Anaya at all times, conjoining in tones that are fuzzy, crisp, glassy or jangly, adapting for every song as required. What’s especially new is a fascination with synthesiser – there’s almost always a pad churning away in the background, and you’ll even hear brass and mellotron on “Tinted Windows”. This all makes for an exceptionally busy soundscape, befitting for the maximalist tendencies of the band. It’s fully sonically aligned with their self-titled record’s sound thanks to returning producer Mike Vernon Davis.
The very first words of the record are a strong hint that relationships will be the theme of Easier Said Than Done (“I know you’re bad for me, but sometimes you’re the only one I want”). But what follows is much more vulnerable (“I let people walk all over me, I take things too personally, just let me down easily”), and the record may spend more time romanticising specific cigarettes than specific romantic interests. A lot of topics are thrown into the mix, always returning to the perpetual process of self-improvement. Goodwyne’s lyrics were written almost completely in the moment, and her stream of consciousness doesn’t miss a chance to put herself down.
The record’s first half is a gamut of banger after banger. Goodwyne’s vocal writing is careful to make choruses not-so obvious but still absolute earworms, meaning you’re not worn out by repeated listens to the likes of “Easier Said Than Done” and “Bad Bruise”. This trick of being radio friendly without your hooks completely taking over your songs comes naturally to many in the accessible rock underground, such as Origami Angel, PUP, and Spanish Love Songs, to name a few, and the pop world should be taking notes from Goodwyne.
Absolute critical mass is reached at track four: the more than worthy single “Leona Street” hits so good with its whammy bar-leads and idyllic verses. The following “Last Word” turns its enchanting beatscape into an urgent rock, building to one of many fantastic bridges on Easier Said Than Done. “Sorry Not Sorry” is the synthesiser summit of the album, making for a woozy ballad for dusty bedsheets. Although the solo sticks to kitschy vocal melodies that sore lack the Midwest and math stylings of their past, the noodling becomes delicious once Christine Goodwyne returns and loops her vocals.
The back half of the album continues to please in terms of pacing and each track. “Dani” becomes Pool Kids’ longest track, and is much slower paced than what has come before. It’s a slow dance that builds towards the huge vocal breakdown for its bridge. In the climax, the band holds it all back while Goodwyne spills out (“Dani, I trusted you”); the guitars shiver, fuzz leaking out in sympathy. When the band resumes, it’s Caden Clinton’s turn to let rip on the drums (it’s been a huge year for Clinton, as he’s also defined the rhythms for For Your Health, too). “Perfect View” follows, and Goodwyne almost sounds breathless after “Dani”, completely fitting for an Easier Said Than Done-style acoustic song. Whilst the synthesisers and reverse drones seep in at the corners and the guitars are finger-plucked, Goodwyne sings hopefully about a simple future (“On Wednesday’s it’s half off on medium coffees / It’s a perfect view, long as I’m with you”).
The record’s conclusion is “Exit Plan”, returning to Pool Kids’ upbeat sound one last time. It calls back to the first track by dropping the title for one last pivotal bridge. It wraps up the album not with an omen, but with an ode to uncertainty (“The grass is always green on the other side… I don’t know if the end is worth the means”). More than just an upgrade on the equivalent closing chapter on their self-titled, this ending suite comprises Pool Kids’ strongest work to date.
A record like Easier Said Than Done shows us that it’s possible to take on the pop establishment from a DIY launchpad. It scratches the itch for a personal and confessional experience, whilst never disappointing with any of its individual fragments. Each songwriting and soundscape detail is more than worthwhile, as the whole band have weaponised their diverse influences, and taken an equal share in crafting a fantastic pop record.
8/10
Easier Said Than Done releases through Epitaph and can be pre-ordered here: US, UK/EU. They’re on tour with Truth Club and Pony across the states in October.