:: Album Review :: Tarek Kasmi :: The New Century EP ::
Tarek Kasmi is a 20 year old singer and musician coming straight out of Orlando, Florida bringing us his new rebellion fueled, anthemic EP “ The New Century”. It’s clear from the beginning of the album that Kasmi wants to bring us a hard-hitting message of freedom and not conforming. This is fed to our ears through catchy, free-flowing pop punk.
The first track on the EP sets the stage for a whirlwind of angsty rebellion punk. The track, titled “We’re Not Sorry” brings us a message of living free of regret and moving on from the past. It states, “My life will not be bought by some corporation.” This track has major anthem potential. I could see a group of teens blasting this song while driving down the highway to their next punk show. It’s what this entire EP is about, being free and being who you want to be, not being stuck in what others think you should be, or what you perceive normality to be. Let yourself go, and be whom you are.
The second track, “Unchained” is yet another song that could easily become the go-to track to blast during a road trip. It speaks of rising against the ones in power that hold you down. Fighting back against what keeps you stuck. “We are more than desperate silence.” Stand up and fight for what you believe in, is what this track is about. It’s a song that can be applied to many things depending on the person listening to it. Music is personal and this can be one track that can be perceived in many different ways. It’s a great song that gives a strong message and that’s what the industry needs more of these days.
By the third track you’re already in kind of “f*ck the world” mood but “The Quiet of Morning” slows everything down and gives you a new view on the whole thing. It’s all acoustic and very stripped. It kind of sounds like a love song, which is very different from anything else on the EP, and it’s a nice change. The last track, which is the title track “The New Century” wraps it all up in a nice little bow with another blaring pop-punk sound with more anthem-like lyrics and more positivity.
All in all, this is a great album if you’re into pop punk. You need to get it and it needs to live happily on your iPod. It’s a must have. You can download the EP on iTunes and check out Tarek on MySpace. Shoot him a message and let him know we sent you!
