With a clean but powerful guitar riff, Trash Boat’s new EP opens strong with Get By Then Die, instantly pulling you in. The drums hit hard and keep the energy high, while the bass gives the song a heavy groove that makes it hard to sit still. It feels loud, urgent, and full of momentum from the very first moments. Very much in line with Trash Boat’s usual vibe, the track blends raw aggression with an emotional edge that feels honest rather than overworked. The vocals sound worn and frustrated, carrying that familiar sense of release the band does so well, while the guitars keep everything driving forward. As an opening track, it sets the mood perfectly, angsty, punchy, and full of heart, making it clear this EP isn’t here to ease you in, but to hit you straight in the chest.
The title track of the EP opens with a raw, almost exposed vocal from frontman Tobi Duncan, immediately pulling the listener into a space that feels deeply personal and unguarded. There’s a sense of vulnerability in his delivery, as if the song begins mid-thought, before gradually unfolding into a melancholy guitar line that lingers and sets a heavy, reflective mood. That opening moment gives the track room to breathe, allowing the emotion to settle before the rest of the band comes in.
Lyrically, Even If I Never Get There is deeply cathartic and painfully relatable. It explores themes of mental health, self-doubt, and the suffocating feeling of being trapped within your own mind, wanting to move forward but not knowing how. The words carry a quiet desperation, balanced by moments of hope that never quite fully resolve, mirroring the struggle the song describes. As the track builds, the instrumentation swells to match that internal conflict, making it feel less like a song you simply listen to and more like one you experience. It’s a standout moment on the EP, capturing Trash Boat at their most honest and reflective.
Rain leans into a more punk-driven sound, with fast and punchy verses that open the floor perfectly for the melodic choruses and instrumental sections. This contrast keeps the song feeling dynamic and engaging, never letting the energy drop. What makes Rain stand out on the EP is its heavier overall vibe, cutting through with a raw intensity that pushes the momentum forward. It adds a harder edge to the record while still staying true to Trash Boat’s melodic roots, making it a strong and impactful moment on the EP.
Finishing with a bang, You Want The Moon? brings a surge of energy while still holding onto the melancholic lyrical themes that run throughout the record. It feels urgent and emotionally charged, striking a balance between hope and frustration as the song pushes forward without losing its reflective core. The power-driven drums, consistent with the rest of the EP, hit hard and propel the track toward a strong close, giving it a sense of finality without feeling abrupt. Everything comes together here: the intensity, the mood, and the message, making it a fitting and memorable closer that leaves a lasting impression long after the EP ends.
Overall, Even If I Never Get There feels like a tightly packed and emotionally honest release that captures Trash Boat at their most focused. Each track brings its own identity while still contributing to a cohesive journey, blending raw energy with reflective, often heavy themes. From punchy, high-impact moments to more stripped-back and vulnerable sections, the EP never loses its sense of purpose.
For fans of: Boston Manor, The Wonder Years, Hot Mulligan
‘Even If I Never Get There’ by Trash Boat is out now.
Words by Daniel Packham
