SZNZ: Summer

Weezer

The alternative rock and pop legends are sticking to their ambitious project, a series of EPs inspired by Vivaldi's four seasons. I know we're nearing the end of summer but there is still time to talk about Weezer's second instalment to the SZNZ series. SZNZ: Summer is certainly more lively and memorable than the last one in my opinion. There's a bit of arena rock grandiosity, some of those Kiss influences are coming through in the more hard rock sounding riffs, and the drums have a modern pop rock, synthetic punchiness to them. I really liked the opener Lawn Chair where Rivers Cuomo sings from the perspective of angels in heaven - over a pompous piece of classical music - who decide to make humans suffer for their own entertainment. The perspective then flips as a passionate Cuomo rips into the merciless God and their choir for their callousness. Crashing cymbals, soaring tremolo picked guitar leads, it really kicks off this EP with a righteous bang. I also didn't mind The Opposite Of Me, an upbeat, rockin' number with themes of shaking predestination. And despite being a bit of a slog in the beginning, the final two tracks, Cuomoville and Thank You and Good Night, have some interesting songwriting detours that are pretty cool. This is especially the case with the former as the bridge alternates between these sinister build-ups and some joyful cascading guitar leads.

Unfortunately, this EP still has some sleepers on it. Records is a bland and forgettable ode to 'the album' and how it can be a source of escapism. Blue Like Jazz is a slow, rock-opera type track who's main riff is an unoriginal ascending and descending minor line. The chorus is pretty mind-numbing to boot. My least favourite track on the EP is What's the Good Of Being Good which is not only a forgettable tune sonically, but also has some pretty corny lyrical themes. Despite living a life of merit, Cuomo's projection laments not having a partner and family to share his good graces with. The chorus has this off-putting, self-defeating attitude that frankly gives off 'incel' vibes and is not helped by Cuomo's tale of jealousy and betrayal in the bridge. Maybe I'm reading too much into it, but I know for sure that I really don't care for the song. So, while there are more memorable moments on this EP, I can't say that I'm really feeling this collection either, aside from Lawn Chair and a few choice moments. By the time fall rolls around, I imagine I will likely have forgotten about much of the material here as I did with the last one. Hopefully, Cuomo and the rest of the Weezer gang can find a way to break through the mediocrity and deliver a more compelling set of songs on the next EP.