Sometimes we just need to chill out. To get some sun and throw worries into the backburner just for a little bit, lest it be the thing that hurts us in the long haul. We all need a break. And hey, if you’re in need of something to accompany your chill-out moments and would love to soundtrack it with the breezy, sun-soaked vibes of something that wouldn’t be too far off from Weezer’s White Album or Pacific Daydream, then this three-track EP from The Stanchions called Mentally Chill is the perfect addition to your playlist. The extended play embraces that same easygoing energy, blending crisp, clean guitar tones with warm melodies and effortless song structures that feel like you’re cruising down a sunlit highway, windows down, pretending life isn’t a never-ending disaster. Not to mention, it also takes cues from the classic 2000’s minivan-rock bands like Counting Crows to name a few, layering in a road-trip-ready charm with earnest lyricism and melodies that feel like they were made for a golden-lit highway. The guitars are crisp, the melodies are effortlessly smooth, and for a brief moment, you remember what it felt like to be alive.
Opening with ironically titled (at least in the context of how good this EP is) Doomed from The Start with bright, reverb-kissed guitars and a smooth, swaying rhythm, this track immediately sets the tone for the EP. The vocal delivery is relaxed yet emotive, reminiscent of a frontman who’s more of a bro; which is this band’s biggest asset, as I will expand on in a bit. The chorus is subtle but sticks with you, like a fond summer memory. It’s got a relaxed groove, a melody that almost feels like it’s trying, and just enough vocal sincerity to convince you it’s not phoning it in. The chorus doesn’t explode so much as it just sort of unfolds, which in itself is why it’s my personal favourite from the EP.
The second track, Little Moments, leans even more into a standard garage band aesthetic, featuring mellow verses that flow effortlessly into a well-done chorus, bridging the gap between alternative coolness and road-worn Americana. That’s not a bad thing—it’s actually kind of great. The verses are dreamy, the chorus sways just right, and if you squint hard enough, you can almost hear the ghost of 2003 John Mayer haunting the background if you’re into that. It’s the kind of song that was designed to be played over a montage of someone driving away.
Closing out the EP with Is That Alright? as perhaps the most nostalgic and heartfelt track of the three. Despite the higher pitches in the vocal performance, this track feels as if it’s asking earnestly if it actually is alright, making the track sound introspective and slightly melancholic in the best ways possible. Every EP like this needs one—the song that makes you pause for a second and think, Huh. Maybe life really is just a series of fleeting moments. Cool.
Overall, Is Mentally Chill reinventing the wheel? Absolutely not. But does it need to? Also no. Sometimes, you don’t need boundary-pushing innovation. The Stanchions nail the balance between catchy hooks and a chilled-out atmosphere, making it a great listen for fans of some good rock music made by two brothers who clearly love what they’re doing, with their earnestness paving forward some color to these tracks. This EP is a vibe, and a great one at that. Such chill vibes from cool guys with good times all around.
I try my best to sound like a narrator when I write my reviews so I’ll leave at this: Noice.
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About the Author
A tenured media critic known working as a ghost writer, freelance critic for publications in the US and former lead writer of Atop The Treehouse. Reviews music, film and TV shows for media aggregators.
