Ever since Calling All Captains announced The Things That I’ve Lost, this one has been sitting heavy on the hype list. There is just something about this band when they lock into a release cycle that feels purposeful, and knowing Tom Denney had his hands on part of this EP only turned that excitement up a notch. This feels like a band who know exactly where they are, what they want to say, and how to hit you right in the chest while doing it.
At its core, The Things That I’ve Lost feels honest in a way that sticks. It deals with burnout, frustration, identity and that weird in between space where you are not falling apart but you are not exactly fine either. Musically, it balances punchy modern pop punk energy with moments that lean heavier and more emotional without ever losing momentum. The production sounds big but not polished to the point of losing feeling, and the performances across the board feel confident and lived in. This is Calling All Captains sounding like themselves, just sharper, louder, and more self aware.
There is also something really satisfying about how this EP flows. Nothing feels thrown in for the sake of it, and even the quieter or less explosive moments still serve the bigger picture. It feels like a proper snapshot of where the band are right now rather than a stepping stone release. Once it ends, you are already thinking about hitting play again, which is always a good sign.
Diving into it track by track, things kick off with Stay Away, and honestly, what an opener. This track is stupid catchy in the best possible way. The vocals shine straight away, the drums sound absolutely massive, and that line “Everything could be so simple if I just use my head” hits harder than expected. It sets the tone immediately, emotionally and sonically, and you just know you are in safe hands from the first chorus. By the time it ends, you are fully locked in.
Call Me keeps that momentum rolling without feeling repetitive. Once again, the drumming deserves serious credit here because it drives the whole track forward and gives the chorus that extra lift. Speaking of the chorus, good luck getting this one out of your head once it clicks. It is one of those hooks that sneaks up on you and then refuses to leave for the rest of the day.
A New Type of Grey feels like a real moment on the EP. That opening twinkly guitar pulls you in before the track expands into something much deeper. Lyrically, this one really stands out. There is a lot going on beneath the surface, and it lands with a weight that feels personal without being heavy handed. By the time it hits its stride, all you can really say is woah. This is Calling All Captains at their most reflective and it works incredibly well.
Then Blood For Blood comes in swinging. This is where things get angrier and more intense, and you can absolutely hear Tom Denney’s influence in that opening. It has that instantly recognisable punch that makes you want to turn the volume up without thinking twice. It is raw, it is aggressive, and it adds a real bite to the middle of the EP that stops things from ever feeling too safe.
Say That You Hate Me might just be the standout for us. That twinkly guitar paired with a massive chorus is a winning combo, and everything about this track feels dialled in. It is emotional without being over the top, catchy without being shallow, and honestly, it is the one we kept coming back to after the first listen. If there is a track people are going to latch onto hard, this might be it.
Dark Clouds feels like it was built for big rooms and loud crowds. It is ridiculously catchy, the hooks are addictive, and it has that hands in the air energy that just makes sense. You can already picture this one going off live, and it feels like one of those tracks that will only get better the more people shout it back at the band. Make sure you check out the latest music video for the track too.
Closing things out with Salt Lines, this is probably our least favourite on the EP, but that really says more about the strength of the rest of the tracklist than anything else. It is still a good song by all means, and it fits the overall vibe well. It just does not hit quite as hard as the others, which on a release this strong is not exactly a bad problem to have.
Overall, The Things That I’ve Lost feels like a confident step forward for Calling All Captains. It is emotional, catchy, and hits with enough grit to keep things interesting from start to finish. If this EP is a sign of what is next for the band, then there is a lot to be excited about.
We also caught up with Calling All Captains to talk about The Things That I’ve Lost. You can check that out here.
