EP Review: 10 Years – Inner Darkness (Mascot Records)

Knoxville, Tennessee alt-rockers 10 Years will release their digital EP ‘Inner Darkness’ on October 11th, 2024, Via Mascot Records. In addition to featuring three previously unreleased songs and three well-received singles, the Inner Darkness EP includes a version of the hit ‘The Optimist’ with guest vocals by Conquer Divide’s Kia Taylor.

The Optimist bookends this new EP with two versions on display. The first, and opener, is particularly special because it features Conquer Divide’s Kia Taylor trading vocal lines with 10 Years’ vocalist Jesse Hasek impressively. A wonderfully infectious track that excels at showcasing the heart and soul that 10 Years has, while delivering heady hits of rocky groove too.

It is a bar setting track, and while the following Gravity doesn’t quite have the same anthemic oomph, it is a heavier beast, showing off more of 10 Years’ range. The long melodic outro is an interesting touch, likable enough, if not a bit unexpected. Especially as it doesn’t flow into the following Rise, which finds 10 Years sounding their most ‘radio’ friendly with an easy listening alt-twisted track. Sure, it has bursts of crunchier rhythm, but this is a very accessible track.

To be fair though, most of their music can fall into the accessible category and there’s absolutely nothing wrong with that when they’re producing lovable body shakers like Speechless and creative bangers like I Remember. The latter of which is one of the best of the EP. Although, how 10 Years make things feel both urgent and chilled in equal measures on The Trench is pretty damn cool too.

It won’t come as too much of a surprise, to those who know this band, that Inner Darkness is a very impressive release. Across its runtime, it showcases a wide array of creative sounds, proves unequivocally to be appealing to just about everyone, and utilises a stellar guest to their fullest.

10 Years – Inner Darkness Track Listing:

1. The Optimist (feat. Conquer Divide)
2. Gravity
3. Rise
4. Speechless
5. I Remember
6. The Trench
7. The Optimist

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