Pool Kids — Simpler to Say Than to Achieve

      The Florida natives make their return, embracing their emo roots...

      Introspection drives Pool Kids’ ‘Easier Said Than Done’, the third album from the Florida-based quartet. Their debut, 2018’s ‘Music to Practice Safe Sex To’, introduced their pop and emo influences, further developed in their 2022 self-titled sophomore album. Now, ‘Easier Said Than Done’ captures the cinematic nostalgia. One can envision a late-night drive through an empty town, with endless winding roads under a darkened sky. As singer-songwriter Christine Goodwyne reflects on the experiences she and her bandmates have shared over the years, bringing to mind those who have come and gone, we become ensnared in her expansive thoughts.

      The title track (and the first single) pulls us into an obsessive mind at odds with itself. There’s an irony in the upbeat chords supporting Goodwyne’s melodic singing. She admits, “I told you I know how to have fun / If only I could let go / It’s easier said than done,” and we observe her frustration evolve from quiet urges to powerful wails. These sentiments continue in ‘Tinted Windows’, where the emo chords from guitarists Goodwyne and Andy Anaya, along with bassist Nicolete Alvarez, enhance the melodrama. Caden Clinton’s drums operate in their own unique sphere; as they intensify, their rhythm reflects anxiety simmering beneath the surface.

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      Comparing a troubled love to a ‘Bad Bruise’ has its endearing, albeit morbidly romantic, touch. It leaves one cautious of the next bruise appearing on their skin. Goodwyne’s entreaties of, “Pretty please, empathy / Got me on my knees,” are delivered with fervent defiance and a hint of yearning. The instrumentation peaks collectively here: each member of Pool Kids immerses themselves in their individual tales, yet they achieve a harmonious synchronicity that strengthens with each track. ‘Last Words’ showcases similarly impressive craftsmanship. Beginning with muffled, distorted drum beats, the band then bursts into rapid drums and a driving bassline, complemented by softer guitar layers. It evokes the sound of a track from Paramore’s debut, ‘All We Know Is Falling’, exuding a mysterious and emotional edge.

      The ethereal pop soundscape of ‘Sorry Not Sorry’ contrasts sharply with the brutally honest narrative of a troubled relationship with alcohol. Here, Goodwyne’s lyrics are direct: “It’s not my fault / I’m at my best when I’m six shots deep / Better lover, better friend, you can take it from me.” Her elongated notes in the chorus of “Over my dead body” are both haunting and beautiful. The storytelling on this track resonates with the heartbreak explored in ‘Dani’, a story of a fractured family. Each utterance of the name in the chorus resonates with a haunting ache, and as the riffs build and the drums pound, we, too, feel the suffocation of home.

      While Pool Kids’ DIY ethos remains a key strength in their musicianship, ‘Easier Said Than Done’ showcases them at their most polished. A refreshing authenticity unfolds through the lives depicted across the album, and within each song, no story is off-limits.

      8/10

      Words: Paulina Subia

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