EP Review: Waiting Rooms

There’s something really refreshing about Waiting Rooms, the new five-track EP from Auckland band Some Distance. There’s a real energy running through this record, with a sound that brings back those late 90’s and early 2000’s alternative rock vibes while still feeling fresh.

Across the five tracks, the band moves between upbeat, energetic moments and quieter sections that give the songs room to breathe. The guitar work is beautiful throughout, the drumming is a real highlight, and there’s a nice balance between the heavier moments and the more introspective songwriting.

Changing Shape

Opening track Changing Shape is a really energetic way to kick things off. It has a bright, upbeat sound that sits somewhere between alternative rock and pop. There’s a real sense of movement to the track, and I really enjoyed the way it brings a bit of that danceable energy into the mix.

It’s a fun start to the EP and gives you a good idea of the different sounds the band is playing around with.

If I Could

If I Could keeps that energy going, with some really powerful drumming driving the track forward. One of the things I enjoyed most about this song is the way it moves between its heavier sections and quieter moments.

It builds into these big, energetic parts before pulling right back, at times leaving just the vocals to carry things. That contrast works really well. Just when you think you know where the song is heading, it changes things up, making those heavier moments hit even harder when they come back in.

Forest Green

Forest Green is probably my favourite track on the EP. It opens with a beautiful guitar part and some really intimate vocals, creating a quieter atmosphere before gradually building into something much bigger.

There’s a line in the song, “There’s an orchard inside my head”, that really stood out to me. I love the imagery in that line and the way it feels connected to something much more personal, almost like a reflection on the mind and mental health. That’s my interpretation of it, anyway, but it’s the kind of songwriting that makes you stop and think about what a song means to you.

The build throughout the track is beautiful, too. It doesn’t rush things, allowing those quieter moments to sit before bringing in more layers and energy. For me, this is the standout track on Waiting Rooms.

QT

QT brings another burst of energy to the EP. As the lead single, it also comes with a pretty cool story behind it. The band describes the track as a love letter to the four friends behind Some Distance, who have been making music together in different forms for more than a decade.

With everyday life getting in the way, finding the time to make music isn’t always easy. But that shared love of creating something together is still there, and I think that makes the story behind this track pretty special.

There’s something really nice about a band continuing to make music together after all those years. QT feels like a celebration of that connection and the joy that comes from doing something you love with your mates.

Unbalanced (Remastered)

The EP closes with Unbalanced (Remastered), bringing things back to a slightly slower pace while still delivering plenty of energy.

The guitar tones are beautiful here, and the drumming continues to be a real highlight. In fact, the drums are one of my favourite things about this EP as a whole. They’re not just sitting in the background keeping time; they play a huge part in shaping the sound and energy of each track.

The vocals sit really nicely alongside the guitars, too. I particularly like the way the band builds tension before letting loose into those bigger guitar-and-drum sections. When everything comes together, there’s a real sense of release, and that balance between the quieter moments and the heavier parts is something the band does really well.

Final Thoughts

Overall, Waiting Rooms is a really enjoyable EP. I love the way Some Distance move between energetic, almost danceable moments and quieter sections that give the songs room to breathe. The guitar work is consistently strong, the drumming is a real standout, and there’s some thoughtful songwriting throughout.

There’s also a nostalgic quality to the record that I really enjoyed. It brings back those late 90’s and early 2000’s alternative rock vibes, with big instrumentals and more introspective songwriting sitting alongside each other. But it doesn’t feel like the band is simply trying to recreate a sound from the past. There’s enough variation across the five tracks to keep things interesting, and the different moods give the EP its own character.

For a five-track release, Waiting Rooms gives you a good sense of what Some Distance are about. It’s energetic, at times introspective, and full of some really lovely guitar work and drumming.

If you’re into alternative rock with a bit of nostalgia, plenty of energy and songwriting that gives you something to think about, Waiting Rooms is well worth a listen.