Old Neon - Resolution EP
- Samuel Stevens
- May 20
- 2 min read
Old Neon’s new EP, Resolution, out May 23, 2025, doesn’t just live up to its title—it wears it like a badge of honour. The Pittsburgh-based pop punk five-piece pours every ounce of grit, grief, and growth into this ambitious five-track offering, and the result is a bold statement of purpose that bridges throwback emo sensibilities with modern urgency. With production handled by The Wonder Years’ Matt Brasch and Nick Steinborn, and mastering by scene legend Will Yip, Resolution is an EP that refuses to sit quietly in the corner. It demands to be felt.
Right from the opening notes of lead single “Nobody’s Burden,” Old Neon delivers a familiar yet fresh take on resilience through heartbreak. Drew Sipos’ vocals carry a bruised clarity as he sings about reclaiming autonomy in the wake of abandonment. With tight guitar lines and a chorus tailor-made for fans of Neck Deep and State Champs, to name a few, it’s an empowering anthem for anyone learning to stand on their own again.
Things take a heavier emotional turn on “Better Son,” a deeply personal track written by bassist Sean Michael about losing a family member. The song is raw and vulnerable without ever veering into melodrama. There’s a genuine ache in both the lyrics and the layered instrumentation, showcasing the band’s growing maturity and range as songwriters. It’s easily one of the EP’s most affecting moments, confronting mortality and familial grief with heartbreaking honesty.
“Blizzard” channels classic 2010s-era pop punk energy with a lyrical focus on mental fog and emotional paralysis. The guitar interplay between Bea Langer and Mike McInnes creates a stormy tension that’s mirrored by Zach Pollack’s frenetic drumming. Meanwhile, “Baby Blue” offers a bittersweet contrast, its hazy melodies and mid-tempo pace evoking a late-night drive soundtrack for unresolved feelings and fading memories.
Closing track “People Pleaser” is where Old Neon fully embraces the sonic evolution hinted at throughout the EP. It’s defiant, dynamic, and packed with subtle production flourishes that elevate it beyond standard fare. It feels like the band is releasing themselves from the weight of expectations—internal or external—and stepping confidently into their next chapter.
What makes Resolution stand out is its sense of earnest struggle. You can hear the long hours, the rewrites, the laughter and tension behind the scenes, all culminating in five songs that sound as tight as they are lived-in. Brasch’s production ensures the band sounds more polished than ever without losing the scrappy heart that made them so compelling onstage. It’s clear that Old Neon is no longer content being Pittsburgh’s best-kept secret—they’re reaching for something bigger, and they have the songs to back it up. In addition, Resolution is not just a reflection of where Old Neon has been—it’s a promise of where they’re headed.
Check out more from Old Neon: https://www.oldneonmusic.com
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