EP Review: I’m Doing Better

The Bakers Eddy boys are back and they’re sounding better than ever! 

I’m Doing Better is described as “a collection of six rollicking tunes, which traverse elements of alt-rock, pop and 2000’s garage, glued together by energetic pop-punk influenced melodies” and it sure is! 

As a Bakers Eddy fan since the early years this album hits differently. It is about growth whilst also going back to your roots, and the experiences that have made these 4 boys who they are and shaped their sound.

The first track called Manners Street is their ode to their Wellington upbringing and the crazy memories made in the CBD and this iconic street. Whilst I didn’t lose my virginity in the Reading Cinema parking lot like the lyrics say, I did spend a lot of late teens/early twenties at the Reading Cinema building with friends getting up to mischief, so I fully relate to this song! 

I love that this is an ode to their roots and how it can bring back memories for anyone who knew that era of Manners St being walking only, and the misfits that would inhabit it. The punk kids, emo kids, rebels and the like. This song is fun and catchy and has proved successful as a single already. 

Next up is an odd tune if not somewhat catchy. UFO is upbeat, features some whistling, and is so much fun to sing along to. Will we ever know if they were just tripping or actually saw a UFO? probably not, but this little ditty is kooky and I love yelling the line “but I was high as fuck!”

Lead singer Ciarann opened up on the band’s Instagram about Dust On My Brain and how he wrote it about struggling, and his self-destructive tendencies. It is an ode to feeling the feelings. The stand out lyrics are “I’m doing better and better is something” which Ciarann says is about how small things are better than nothing, such as getting out of bed earlier, or less time doom scrolling. This song really does hit you in the feels and make you think about your coping mechanisms and negative talk. It is inspiring and raw. 

Caroline has huge punk vibes, some epic fast drums, is damn catchy and gets stuck in your head. They don’t hate Caroline and I don’t hate this song. 

If you like hearty guitars and heavy drums then How Do I Know is the song for you! There are techno vibes mixed in behind the epic vocals. This banger is fast paced until the end where you are treated to a random banjo solo.

Hopeless Dreams is a juxtaposition because it is such an upbeat song but is singing about life’s hardships and has poignant verses like “and it don’t get any easier, to swim with all my Demons, when the noise drowns me out, and I can’t fucking think right now”.

The whole album makes you want to jump around and rock out but also makes you think about your life and decisions and that’s what truly makes it a work of art.

The Baker boys have nailed it with I’m Doing Better and even though this is fresh and full of hits, I cannot wait to see what they give us next.