Minnesota pop punkers Braver are back with some new material in just over a year since their last release Torpor. This time they have released a six-track EP titled Old Rules, which seems to have them going in a bit of a darker direction than the rest of their catalogue. It isn’t that they have gone emo or anything like that, but sonically this record does lean more towards the more melancholy side of pop punk.

The track “5 Things” really shows that we are seeing a bit of different side of Braver this time right of the bat because they start the song with a palm muted acoustic guitar intro that accompanies soft whisper-like vocals. Soon after the song picks up when the bass kicks in and it eventually evolves into a hard-hitting pop punk song with distorted guitar chords that blare out in between the vocals. It’s heavier and angrier than what we typically have gotten from Braver until this point. The same arguably goes for the lyrics in this song such as, “Is that my face reflected, or some well worn-in disguise?/ A tribute to the fool/I love you, and goodbye.”

Another stand out track on Old Rules is called “Monster Mash 2” and let me first make it clear that it sounds nothing like the song you hear in a super market during the week of Halloween. This is one is definitely more up beat than “5 Things,” but the band continues their somber theme with it. The vocals are somewhat sad and exude a sense of frustration and exhaustion, which is exemplified with lines such as,” I’m not going to change my story/I’m not going to say I’m sorry/I’ve cleared my debts so you can bet I’m not in on this play.” On the musical side, “Monster Mash 2” is closer to Braver’s over all style – palm muted power chords that build up to full volume and times the vocals are sung only over the bass.

Braver have released yet another solid bunch of songs with Old Rules. Their fan base will definitely enjoy their more serious direction. This is one of those records though that if you have not listened to this band before, I would start with their earlier material like Torpor or even their split 7-inch with Direct Hit! and then come back to this.