The Woods – Good To See You (EP Review)

Missed the mixture of some good soft rock and powerful alternative influences that delve into Baroque Pop? Then The Woods is the band that will immerse you in a dream-like journey.

Coming out of their 2021 EP Hurricane, the Groningen-based band gives us a glimpse of their upcoming LP, set to release on January 24, 2025. Interestingly enough, the band will preview the album live at the VERA pop temple. With this new EP, Good To See You, the band aims to showcase the great versatility they offer throughout. Produced by Silver Harp, they bring an exciting kick to their sound.

Before we get into the project, let’s go through the band members. As the main vocalist, we have Joris Bos, who is also a composer and guitarist, joined by Martijn Drijfhout on support vocals and bass. On the instrumental side, we have Johan Zielstra on Hammond and piano, with Pieter Dokter providing a solid foundation on drums and percussion.

With all the main and background info out of the way, let’s dive into the EP from The Woods — Good To See You.

From the start, with “Head Over Heels,” we jump into a dynamic, energetic, and catchy vibe bolstered by a captivating instrumental. Right away, the band demonstrates their ability to transition between genres, whether it’s a pop-rock delivery or elements that evoke the feel of old-school groovy rock and roll. The Woods nail it. “Head Over Heels” genuinely demonstrates how great rock can be mixed with subtle pop influences and incorporated seamlessly, whether as a bridge for the chorus or an epic build-up to the outro.

“Let’s Get Out Of Here,” on the other hand, shifts away from the dynamic and energetic side of The Woods, diving into melancholy mixed with vulnerability. The chorus truly feels like an additional layer on an already striking performance. The powerful outro underscores the song’s somber tones with bravery.

With the next track, as you might have guessed, the soundscape shifts once again, delivering a laid-back, soulful, harmonic piece. “Underneath The Sun” is a distinguished track that combines Baroque-pop influences with jazz-inspired soul, filling it with sincerity and genuineness. An indescribable feeling of coziness pervades the track, truly grasping your attention and inviting you to ruminate on its intricacies.

The self-titled track, “Good To See You,” serves as the blockbuster outro, closing out the EP’s journey with vibrant and definitive guitars. The instrumental sound of the track—and the album overall—feels so well-polished that it’s hard to overlook the thoughtful bridges and intricate elements.

Good To See You leaves me simply impressed. Whether it’s the captivating combination and diversity of sounds throughout the project or the genuine and gripping execution, The Woods show exactly what they do best.

Score/Excellent: This project is one I would wholeheartedly recommend to all listeners, especially big lovers of alternative and grandiose performances like myself. The Woods have certainly captured my attention, and I can’t wait to hear more from them on their upcoming LP, which is slated for release on January 24th. So, if any of the elements I’ve described have piqued your interest, don’t waste time—go check them out!

(We rank singles, EPs, and albums on a scale of Poor, Mediocre, Good, Excellent, and Outstanding.)

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