Canadian punk legends Comeback Kid are back, and they’ve certainly stirred things up with their latest EP. However, the band seems to be transitioning towards a more radio-friendly sound, moving away from their aggressive punk roots in favor of something a bit more polished and sanitized. While remnants of their punk style are still present, the energy feels somewhat muted, and the raw intensity that defined their earlier work is now replaced with a more tame, restrained approach.

This shift isn’t inherently bad, but it does make the songs feel less urgent, as though they’re missing a bit of the grit that once made Comeback Kid’s music so compelling. Take the opening track, “Trouble in the Winner’s Circle,” for example. While it eventually builds to a powerful conclusion, the first part of the song feels lackluster, like it’s holding back. It lacks the punch and aggression that you might expect from a band like Comeback Kid. Similarly, “Chompin’ at the Bit” has some dead space in the verses where the song feels oddly empty, only to be invigorated when the chorus kicks in. The bass does offer a nice weighty presence in parts of the song, giving it some much-needed depth, but it’s not enough to fully carry the track.

On the other hand, songs like “Disruption” and “Breaking and Bruised” are where the band shines. These tracks bring back a refreshing dose of the punk energy that made Comeback Kid so beloved in the first place. Whether it’s the mesmerizing riffs or the driving force of the drums, these songs manage to capture the essence of what the band does best without losing the aggression or urgency in their sound.

A notable issue on this EP, however, is the mix. The vocals are pushed to the forefront, often overpowering the instruments, which can be distracting at times. On tracks like “Trouble in the Winner’s Circle” and “Chompin’ at the Bit,” the vocals—though high-pitched and energetic—seem to dominate the soundscape, overshadowing the other elements of the music. While the vocal performance itself isn’t bad, the imbalance in the mix detracts from the overall experience.

Ultimately, Comeback Kid’s latest EP brings the trouble, but it feels like a different kind of trouble than what fans are used to. It’s not the fun, raw, and urgent energy that the band once brought to the table. Instead, it’s a more polished, radio-friendly version that, while not bad, loses some of the spirit and fire that made them a punk institution. It’s a shift in direction that may resonate with some listeners, but others might find it lacking the spark that first drew them to Comeback Kid.