Austin Sound

Anyone who has attended their high school prom knows that a certain amount of that special night’s charm comes only after looking back through a rather forgiving nostalgic lens. One can be sure that a certain circle of Hell is set aside for playing live footage of prom on a loop; we may remember it as perfect, but the real thing was far from. Dressed for Success, the latest EP release from Austin punk quintet Prom Nite, is no exception. While they do a good job of bringing back a classic snotty punk sound with a twist, the album is hampered by poor stylistic choices and a feeling of monotony that overshadows the group’s prouder moments.

Prom Nite is equal parts jagged and jangled, but all out rock. There is a brash, youthful energy to the quartet’s explosive post-punk sound, driven by tight buckshot beats, sharply hammered guitar riffs, and unbridled shouts that burst through the blasé with an impish assault. Last year’s full-length debut, Where Is It? There Is It! honed their propulsive sound into catchy but uncompromising tunes that rise from the belly of Nineties alternative with a renewed force, and has us eagerly anticipating their next album set for release later this year. You can catch Prom Nite this Friday, May 9, at the Scoot Inn with Crash Gallery, L.A.X., and Taunto.