Single Review: Outrun The Rain

I first saw Ekko Park many years ago, but in the last year or so I have managed to see them a few times, and my only question to myself is why have I not been following them around? Drummer Nick Douch has a solid style, and he understand the importance of not playing, as much as playing (the introduction only has a kick drum), which is a rare skill. Bryan Bell has worked with singer/guitarist Joe Walsh for years and they have developed a musical relationship where Bryan is always there providing the support or additional melody, whatever is required, while they have discovered the perfect missing piece in guitarist/singer Jessie Booth who completes the sound on the other side of the stage. Outrun The Rain is their newest offering.

Add incredible melodies and pop hooks to what they are doing, and the result is a much cleaner and enjoyable version of The Wildhearts, using rock instead of metal as a base, but still with so many pop hooks and styles it hurts to have them mashed together like this. All one wants to do when playing it is dance, or sing, or punch the air, as this is a real banger yet somehow, they also manage to fit multiple sections into a song which is less than three minutes long! Joe has a voice which is both clear and edgy, Jessie provides some smoothness and they combine together to bring this song home which ends with just vocals, the music having faded away. My #1 EP for 2021 was Ekko Park’s UnMute, and I can’t wait to see what the rest of 2023 is going to bring, as this is awesome.