"Smile Wide is Roam’s best album yet, musically, lyrically and production-wise. It's a must-listen for anyone who loves pop-punk."
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Must Listen
By TJ Hayes
UK based pop-punk outfit Roam are back at it again with their third full-length album, Smile Wide. If there’s one genre of music that is always growing and improving, it’s pop-punk. Roam’s one of those bands making waves in the pop-punk scene. Smile Wide kicks off with the track “Better In Than Out.” One of Roam’s most significant assets is the fact that they have two powerhouse vocalists, who are on an equal playing field in terms of vocal ability. Alex Costello leads the vocal lines and alternates throughout with Alex Adam. The two have a fantastic dynamic and sound awesome together. “Better In Than Out” is a perfect track to start this record with, it’s a fun song that sets the tone for how the rest of the album will go.
The first single the band dropped was a track called “I Don’t Think I Live There Anymore.” Of the track, Alex Adam says, ‘this track uses the idea of an out of body experience to exemplify the feeling of being out of control in any situation.’
There are a lot of dark themes covered up with party vibes on their 2017 album Great Heights & Nosedives, and with Smile Wide, it seems that this trend is continuing with the first two tracks on the album. “Play Dumb” is a stand out track for me. It’s slower than the previous three songs and the melodies that Alex Adam and Sam Veness play together are crisp and clean. Instrumentally, it’s probably one of the stronger tracks on the record and has a few different layers to it which are pleasing to the ear.
“Red & Blue” is another standout track. It has a heavier influence to it, and it’s exciting and refreshing to see Roam exploring other genres and styles. The final track is “Turn,’” and it’s a perfect way to round out what’s been a great album. It’s on the slower side and is a nice, closing piece.
In my opinion, Smile Wide is Roam’s best album yet, musically, lyrically and production-wise. Alex Adam and Alex Costello’s vocals get better with each record, as do Sam Veness, Matt Roskilly and Miles Gill with their guitar, bass, and drum playing respectively. Smile Wide is excellent overall and is a must-listen for anyone who loves pop-punk.
Roam will be hitting the road on a UK tour with With Confidence this month so be sure to head out to a show if it’s coming to your area.
