I didn’t know much about saturdays at your place before this album, outside of their song “tarot cards.” But after hearing the first single “waste away,” I was hooked. There was something about the emotional weight of that song that made me want to sit down and actually listen through the full record. I’m really glad I did.

On these things happen, the Kalamazoo trio take everything that worked on their earlier material and stretch it further. There is more emotion, stronger arrangements, and a live, natural feel that keeps the record grounded. It is not perfect, but it is personal and honest in a way that makes it easy to connect with.

Right out of the gate, the folky fingerpicking in the intro reminds me of Carly Cosgrove, a band they are currently touring with and often grouped in alongside. Some of the vocal phrasing throughout the record reflects that influence too. The transition between the opener and “cross my heart” is really effective musically, but it is hard not to feel like it should have been one track. Once the second track kicks in with full band energy, it hits like a Midwest emo version of blink 182. The delivery on lines like “Do you ever think about me? I bet you do. I get nervous and I can’t speak, when I’m around you” and “I lie awake, cross my heart my soul to take” captures that mix of vulnerability and youth that runs through the whole record.

“waste away,” the lead single, is still a standout. There is some nice Midwest emo style guitar noodling on this one that adds texture you might not catch on a first listen. The lyric “Remind me to remember this won’t last forever” sits at the emotional center of the song. It speaks to how easy it is to take people for granted instead of staying present with them. That theme of regret and reflection runs through a lot of the record.

On “what am I supposed to do,” the chorus really reminds me of Pinegrove. Between the acoustic guitar and the way the song opens up, their influence is all over it. One of the more memorable lines is “I only write about feeling bad, I only write when I’m all mad.” That lyric adds depth to the songwriting and captures the idea that what we create is often tied to the worst parts of ourselves, even if it is not the full picture.

“forest bubbles” leans more into acoustic folk territory. The arrangement feels more fleshed out than it first seems, with some strong dynamics throughout. One thing that stood out was the mix. The vocals are pretty loud across the album, and that sometimes makes the full band moments feel a little weaker. That said, the acoustic tone works nicely, and the blend with electric guitar in the chorus lands well.

“i’d rather be in michigan” is a pop punk leaning banger. This one really reminded me of Modern Baseball. The lyrics feel like they are about that strange feeling of being on the road and wanting to be home, then getting home and wanting to be back out again. The beat change after the first verse is a nice surprise and keeps the energy high. The line “Just because I think it doesn’t mean I think it’s true, so I’m holding out for one more night of holding on to you” is one of the strongest on the record.

At this point in the album, it is clear that the band has a great sense of dynamics. The shifts in feel and tempo are one of their biggest strengths. Even when the lyrics are a little rough around the edges, the way the songs move keeps things interesting. These songs feel like the kind of thing college and early twenties kids could latch onto hard. It captures a time in life when everything is intense and constantly shifting. I am older now, and I probably am not the direct target for this, but I remember how that time felt.

“stay” is another fast one, and this is where the Tigers Jaw comparison becomes impossible to miss. The vocals really sound like Ben, especially from the album Spin. The bridge has that same feel too. “loon mobile pt. 3” fits in that space as well. The melodic guitar lines and emotional tone remind me of bands like Tigers Jaw and Hidden in Plain View. It is one of the best tracks on the record and really leans into that early 2000s emo influence without feeling like a copy.

The album closes with “i give in.” It starts with just acoustic guitar and vocals, builds slowly, and then crashes into a big final section. The line “I break into your basement see what you’ve been drinking” is still one of the most memorable on the album. The way the final section fills with crashing guitars and buried “ohhhs” gives the record a chill but powerful ending.

Hot Mulligan feels like another obvious influence throughout, especially in the vocal phrasing and structure. That makes even more sense when you realize Tades Sanville co-directed the video for “waste away” and shows up in it. Pinegrove, Modern Baseball, and Carly Cosgrove all feel like part of this band’s world too. But it is Tigers Jaw that leaves the biggest mark by the end of the album.

This album is a clear step forward from their last EP. The band sounds more confident, the ideas are better developed, and the emotional moments hit harder. There is still room to grow, especially lyrically and mix wise, but the potential is easy to see. This could end up being one of those cult favorite records that finds the right people at the right time. I will be listening to it for some time for sure.

8.3/10