REVIEW: Pool Kids - Easier Said Than Done

It’s not often you come across an album that feels truly refreshing, but Pool Kids’ third release, Easier Said Than Done, is exactly that. The four-piece from Tallahassee have been steadily building their presence in the emo/pop-punk scene for the past eight years, and this record is proof of their growth and ambition. Confident yet experimental, it’s another string to their bow - a full dive into the dynamic, intricate sound that has made Pool Kids one of the most exciting bands in the genre.

The record is emotionally versatile. You can slip into it whether you’re pining for lost love, reflecting on life’s difficulties, manifesting something new, or simply seeking a moment of peace courtesy of Christine Goodwyne’s gorgeous voice and understated guitar. Florida, their home state, is a recurring thread - not just a backdrop, but a living part of the record’s emotional landscape. Relationships built and broken, cherished and scarred memories - all are tied to that sense of place. Even if you’ve never set foot in Tallahassee, the themes are deeply relatable, evoking your own version of 'home'. Another key theme is emotional vulnerability. These songs are not afraid to explore heartbreak, anxiety, and uncertainty - feelings that are regularly mishandled or misrepresented in music, but here are delivered with honesty and precision.

Opening the record, the title track immediately showcases the band’s willingness to experiment. Kicking off with Goodwyne’s solo vocals, a synthetic background hum seeps in before Andy Anaya’s sharp guitar riffs, Nicolette Alvarez’s steady bass and Caden Clinton’s rim-tapped drums build momentum. The result is an intense, emotional opener about unrequited love: “If only I could let go, it’s easier said than done.” A perfect curtain-raiser for the album’s emotional scope.

'Tinted Windows' was a track that may take a few listens to fully absorb. At first, the pop-punk guitar work stood out - the kind that would sit comfortably alongside early Fall Out Boy - but once the lyrics sank in, the song revealed itself as a bittersweet reflection on love fading. Lines spoken in the heat of romance feel hollow when the relationship ends. It closes with “The end, it’s clearer” against the sound of an oncoming storm - a poetic touch. Next up was 'Bad Bruise', and here, the band’s 2000s emo-rock influence shines. The reversed-vocal intro leads into a breakup anthem full of righteous anger and catharsis. It’s the soundtrack to that moment in a split when you finally speak the words you’ve been holding back, best experienced blasting from a car stereo at full volume.

'Leona Street' comes afterwards, and it's an absolute standout that channels Alanis Morissette in its bridge, pairing tender vocal delivery with an infectious bassline. It tells of moving forward while occasionally looking back, wondering if someone from your past still thinks of you. The chorus is defiant yet vulnerable, and it’s easy to imagine this one becoming a fan-favourite live. Driven by crisp hi-hat percussion in the first verse, the next track, 'Last Word', builds into a crashing chorus before dipping into a dreamy, synthetic haze. The Paramore influence is unmistakable - unsurprising, given Hayley Williams herself once praised Pool Kids publicly.

Slowing the pace for 'Sorry Not Sorry', this highlight track is an intimate portrayal of one-sided desire. The lyrics wrestle with the pain of being wanted only in fleeting, inebriated moments, contrasted with the yearning for something deeper: “Better lover, better friend - you can take it from me.” The keys and synthetic guitar create a meditative calm before the song swells again with raw, drunken heartbreak, before we reach 'Not Too Late'. Mirroring 'Bad Bruise', this song also begins with reversed vocals before bass and drums lock into an irresistible groove. The chorus is light and catchy, but the emotion in Goodwyne’s delivery adds weight to the track. Cutting through the air comes 'Which Is Worse', a raw, high-energy cut that immediately feels like a future set-opener. Distorted voices, synth arpeggios, and static fade in and out, giving it a restless edge.

Perhaps the most personal track on the record, 'Dani' opens softly before drums and guitar crash in. The guitar solo is a highlight, as is the use of distortion throughout - here representing cloudy, unsettled thoughts. In the final chorus, the band play with the amp settings, creating an unexpected texture that works beautifully. The penultimate track 'Perfect View' is also the record’s only acoustic-leaning track. Warm, intimate, and lyrically focused on the unglamorous but meaningful moments of love: petty arguments, damaged furniture, small domestic rituals. It’s a song that makes you feel the comfort and humour of a lived-in relationship. Finally, the finale comes in the shape of 'Exit Plan'. A fitting closer that addresses the emotional aftermath of a breakup. It’s about moving from uncertainty to acceptance: recognising what’s broken, letting go, and ending on the line “I’m okay.”

One of Pool Kids’ strongest qualities is their ability to blend a sense of nostalgia with a unique sonic identity. Their music incorporates pop-punk punch, indie sensitivity, elements of rock, and soft synthetic textures. This combination means every listener can find something that resonates. With Easier Said Than Done, the band have clearly embraced exploration - stretching their song-writing, trying new sounds, and refining the one that will carry them forward.

While Easier Said Than Done inevitably invites comparisons to pop-punk and emo greats, Pool Kids are carving out their own path. The record is packed with energy, emotion, and small experimental touches that reward repeat listens. Every track offers something distinct - a riff that sticks, a lyric that cuts deep, a sonic texture you didn’t notice before. It’s the kind of album you can return to for different moods and find new reasons to love it each time. Whether you want a heartfelt lyrical journey, a rush of adrenaline, or just a solid set of pop-punk bangers, Easier Said Than Done belongs in your collection this year as one of the must-hear releases of 2025.

Score: 9/10

Easier Said Than Done was released on August 15th 2025 via Epitaph Records.

Words: David Waites

Photos: Pool Kids