Carpool – Anime Flashbacks | Single Review

“Say somethin’ / say nothing at all / this is not what I wanted.” Those are the words that are about to be stuck in your head for the next 24 hours. Coincidentally, those are also the words that make up the hook to Carpool’s dancy new single “Anime Flashbacks.” Belted out in a bouncy cadence by frontperson Stophy Colasanto, the delivery is equal parts pleading, regretful, and catchy–the perfect cocktail for a late-summer emo banger. 

Just a prelude to a 5-song EP dropping on 9/23 via Acrobat Unstable Records, “Anime Flashbacks” is a knockout lead single that both announces and reassures listeners that Carpool is back. Outside of a one-off Sheryl Crow cover at the end of 2020, this is the first we’ve heard from the Rochester-based DIY rockers since their debut Erotic Nightmare Summer, which this blog named Album of the Year back in 2020. 

It’s safe to say we’re fans of Carpool here, and we’re happy to report that the band has not spent the last two years slouching around. If anything, “Anime Flashbacks” sees the group tighter than ever before, leveling up far past the skill displayed on their debut album. 

The song begins with a pace-setting stretch of feedback, giving the listener just enough time to get up to speed. Within a few seconds, the band launches into the above hook, skipping straight to the bubblegum saccharine that made their first LP so good. Like pushing your friend into the pool on a hot summer day (making sure to grab their phone first, of course), Carpool wastes no time throwing the audience headfirst into this singable bit of punk rock. 

After a short dance break, little electronic bits begin to shimmer through, accenting the instrumental and casting the song in a slightly different hue. These keys come courtesy of Carpool’s newest band member Alex Ryan, whose contributions immediately feel complimentary to the band’s existing sound, fleshing out a corner of the Carpool Auditory Universe you didn’t even know you needed. 

“Anime Flashbacks” still bears everything you’ve come to love about the group so far: tappy guitar parts, a snappy rhythm section, and of course, Stophy’s unmistakable voice. Alternating between a remorseful croon and a violent sneer, they air out petty grievances over the pop-punk instrumental, effortlessly captivating the listener in the process. 

The emotional climax comes about two minutes in when Stophy belts, “I never shoulda… NOOOO,” letting their scream ring out for as long as their lungs allow. After this outpouring of emotion, we have one more instrumental stretch that winds down and feels designed to give the people in the pit a chance to catch their breath or go extra hard, depending on the energy of the room. As the song crests to a halt, it resolves on a bed of gentle synth notes that carries the listener out, leaving us salivating for more. Luckily, we won’t have to wait too long, given that a new helping of Carpool tracks will arrive in our streaming platforms a month from now. Until then, it’s time to keep the flashbacks on repeat.