The Unswept “Fast Casual” LP

Fast Casual is the energized new album from Chicago power-pop legends The Unswept. Opting for a classic American 70’s sound over their jangly post-British Invasion melodies, Fast Casual is their most experimental album yet. The Unswept originally hail from Sheffield, England where band members Ryan, Liz, and Charlie O’Brien grew up together. The cousins followed a job opportunity to the U.S. and ended up settling in the Logan Square neighborhood of Chicago. Since then The Unswept have become a cornerstone of the Chicago power-pop scene often performing at popular local venues and at the annual International Pop Overthrow Festival. Fast Casual is an exciting exploration into the bands sound, as they depart from their post-Beatles comfort zone. The Unswept deliver a vibrant and energetic performance as they dip their toes into Britpop and glam rock, making Fast Casual their most exciting album yet.

So many traits stood out to me after my first listen of Fast Casual but it was the theme of relationships and The Unswept’s perspective on it that caught my attention the most. Most of the songs on the album have to do with relationship woes, that’s not an uncommon topic for musicians take on but the way The Unswept address it, is. In multiple songs The Unswept take a direct and rather cheeky lyrical perspective often calling out or criticizing the actions of someone else. It feels like The Unswept are responding to a question you asked them about their romantic life, that’s how engaging each track is. There’s a innovative quality to this approach that makes Fast Casual extremely dynamic and exciting to consume. I found the honesty of each track to be refreshing, funny, and real. The Unswept isn’t afraid to tell you how they really feel and you’ll thank them for that.

Tracks like “Please Don’t Waste My Time” and “Try To Forget You” blend upbeat melodies with honest lyrics. These two tracks share The Unswept’s straightforward attitude while highlighting the groups musical range. “Try To Forget You” opens with an incredible electric guitar hook that sets the stage for a galvanized vocal performance. “Try To Forget You” follows the journey of standing up for yourself in a relationship and doing yourself a solid by leaving it. Its a masterful  track about finding the courage to move on. Its set to incredibly high-powered guitar riff’s that make you feel like you can do anything. “Please Don’t Waste My Time” follows “Try To Forget You” on the track list and displays the softer side of The Unswept. “Please Don’t Waste My Time” cleverly employs a jangly melody to support lyrics that cut to the chase about dating. The Unswept make their stance clear that they’re looking for something serious and don’t have time or interest in playing games, making it one of the most relatable tracks on the album. The directness of The Unswept’s message is what binds Fast Casual together.

There really is some type of magic happening on Fast Casual that you can hear in every track. The Unswept have a completely original sound that blends modern sentiments with retro sounds. This combination makes every song distinct and fully felt. The production on Fast Casual is out of this world, with an ear for hooks and a willingness to venture into other genre’s every song has a personality. From jangly melodies to rock-n-roll hooks, you get the best of everything on this album. You can hear the attitude in every performance because the energized melodies are never overbearing. Fast Casual celebrates the unique ability power-pop has to get you to dance and to think about the deeper feelings of your life.

The Unswept are bound to be your favorite new band, with their classic but original sound The Unswept brings a refreshing take on power-pop. Fast Casual stays true to its roots by keeping  its lyrics honest and the melodies upbeat. This is a thought-provoking album that will get you to laugh, smile, and wonder if you should invest in a Rickenbacker. The Unswept is at an exciting point in their musical evolution and have a bright future ahead. Stepping out of their comfort zone is only the beginning for The Unswept. Fast Casual is the album you need this summer, listen to it now!

Trace Whittaker