At first, I wasn't sure if Bayway, NJ, had what it took to take on the might of Manhattan's music scene, but by the end of this short four-song EP, I’m convinced they’re more than capable of pulling off that takeover. The early tracks left me uncertain, though—there was a clear sense that the band was still trying to figure out how to blend their hardcore and rap influences. At first listen, the two styles didn’t seem to mesh very well, and the slow pace of the opening track didn’t help in convincing me otherwise.

The EP kicks off with "Currency," which is an odd introduction, featuring rapped vocals over slow hardcore drums and heavy riffs. The vocals and the instruments didn’t seem to flow together smoothly, which left me feeling a little disconnected. The harsh screamed vocals in the track worked far better than the rapped verses, and while the lyrics are undoubtedly relatable and feel genuine, at times the tough-guy persona came across as a little forced, even a bit cheesy by the end of the song. It was hard to buy into the rap delivery, especially on tracks like “It’s a Cold World,” where the unclean vocals had a lot more impact and the rap sections fell flat for me.

However, something starts to click by the time we hit “Hurt Feelings” and “Our Way.” I’m not sure what changed, but the band managed to figure out how to make the rap and hardcore elements work together. The rap flows, combined with the unclean vocals, come together much more fluidly, and the gang vocals add a layer of energy that wasn’t as present before. There’s an undeniable chemistry here that’s lacking in the earlier tracks, and it’s clear that the band has found their stride. The fast-paced playing and rapid-fire rapping work much better—there’s a sense of urgency and tightness that was missing in the slower sections, which felt a bit disjointed.

The final track, “Our Way,” even features guest vocals, which help pull everything together perfectly. By this point, the band has found the right balance between hardcore riffs and rap flows, and it all clicks in a way that feels natural rather than forced. The track feels like the culmination of everything they were trying to do earlier in the EP, and it makes the rough start worth it.

Sonically, the band sounds great overall. The guitars are a standout, with a thrashy bite to them in "Currency" and some groovy, almost southern-style riffs in "Hurt Feelings." The tuning and layering are tight, and they complement the aggressive drums well. Early on, the drums have a hollow, almost distant sound, especially in the intro of “Currency,” but by the end of the EP, they’re delivering rapid-fire fills and playing with a punk-like energy that matches the faster tempo. The bass provides a thick, punchy foundation that’s present throughout the EP, giving the whole project a solid, weighty feel.

By the end of this EP, Bayway has carved out a sound that feels like a blend of East Coast rap and hardcore. It’s a mix that didn’t come easy, but they’ve managed to find a balance that works—and by the time you get to "Our Way," it’s clear that this band has the potential to make some serious waves in the scene. While the EP starts a little rough, the payoff is worth it, and you can hear the evolution in their sound from track to track.