AtanariaFinish Ticket’s long-awaited album, Echo Afternoon, released on September 6th on Better Noise Music, feels like both a triumph and a reflection on the trials the band has faced over the past decade. The journey to this release has been anything but smooth, marked by label disputes, delays, and missed opportunities, yet the band has persevered, pouring their experiences into the heart of this record.
At its best, Echo Afternoon captures the raw energy and introspective songwriting that fans fell in love with on earlier tracks like “Bring the Rain” and “Wrong.” The album opens strong with “Float,” a standout that channels the band’s signature mix of emotional depth and catchy hooks. Similarly, “25,” with its driving rhythm and thoughtful lyrics about time slipping away, is an undeniable highlight.
Lyrically, the album feels more personal and mature than their previous works. Themes of regret, lost time, and perseverance resonate deeply, especially for fans who have been waiting nearly a decade for this full-length project. Tracks like “25” evoke a sense of closure, with Brendan Hoye’s vocals conveying a vulnerability that has only deepened over time.
However, the album isn’t without its flaws. The middle third feels like a lull, lacking the same energy and focus as the rest of the record. Some songs tread dangerously close to filler territory, with instrumentation that feels overly safe—more akin to the soundtrack of a Disney movie than the dynamic indie rock the band is known for. While not outright bad, these tracks feel like they could’ve been condensed or replaced to create a tighter, more cohesive EP.
Still, it’s hard not to root for Finish Ticket after all they’ve been through. Echo Afternoon may not be a flawless record, but it’s a deeply human one—an album that serves as a testament to the band’s resilience and growth. As a listener, you can feel the weight of their journey, the ups and downs of their career, and the hope that maybe, just maybe, they’re on the cusp of something bigger.
While Echo Afternoon might not catapult Finish Ticket into the mainstream spotlight, it’s a solid step forward and a hopeful sign that their story is far from over. Fans who have been along for the ride will find plenty to love here, even if it’s not quite the perfect finish they were hoping for.
