London's Easy Eight may be a new name, but the musicians behind the band are veterans of the city's thriving hardcore scene, with members drawn from The Chisel, Arms Race, Stingray and Last Affront. On their debut album, however, they take a welcome step away from pure aggression, embracing a more melodic and hook-filled approach to punk rock.

Blending the bittersweet melodies of the Ramones' '80s output with touches of the Misfits and classic British punk, "The Easy Way Out" delivers concise, heartfelt songs packed with driving guitars, memorable choruses and just enough melancholy to keep things interesting. The LP combines the band's first recordings with four brand-new tracks, documenting the rapid evolution of a group already sounding remarkably confident.

Melodic without losing its edge, catchy without becoming polished, this is first-rate contemporary punk rock from musicians who clearly know exactly what they're doing. Highly recommended for fans of The Ramones, The Chisel, The Marked Men and early Teenage Bottlerocket.