Riot Weekend – Table 4 Four – EP Review – oneillpr

Review By Darren McIntyre

Riot Weekend are a Guildford-based alt-pop-punk quartet that blends pop-punk catchiness with hard-hitting heavy riffs & wide-ranging soaring vocals.

The band draw favourable comparisons with the likes of Green Day, Blink-182 & Paramore; they deliver a kinetic & crowd-engaging performance each time they hit the stage. 2022 sees the release of their self-titled EP, which gained International & BBC Introducing airplay that brought them to a whole new audience. Fast forward to 2026, and the band is ready to unleash their brand new EP, Table4Four, slated for release on March 27th. Please sit back as I run the rule over this exciting new offering.

Last Of The Autumn Leaves – A foot-stomping beat rolls through the intro as a gritty, rasping guitar riff weaves its way through the intro before we get a galloping lick that sets the track off down the road. The melodic vocals drop in and let the track breathe as the band kicks in the doors and lets us have it with both barrels; the full-on bassline comes at us with a real dark, meaty groove that wraps itself around this tingling track that instantly puts a smile on your face. The track has a real infectious groove to it as we feel the energy oozing from the band as they deliver a crisp arrangement that is a breath of fresh air; the fast-paced groover really lets the band tell their story as the track steamrolls its way through and delivers a catchy, no-nonsense tone that really pops.

-onHarry: A clean guitar riff erupts from the get-go as the thundering rhythm section cuts loose and hits us with a full-on snare kick that allows the bass beats to let the groove roll on. We get a galloping guitar tone that lets Holly unleash her smouldering vocals that let the track weave its way through this fist-pumping beat as the band goes through their paces and hits us with a real thought-provoking number. The tempo changes pace ever so slightly as a grungier, grittier tone flows freely through the mid-section as the haunting backing vocals really add depth to this kick-ass number. The full-on delicious, dark low-end drops in and really delivers a killer tone that matches the melodies that are rolling through this fantastic arrangement.

Days In December – A nice, mellow acoustic tone wanders through the intro as Holly leans in with her angelic, soulful vocals as this thought-provoking number comes in our direction. The tone is just fantastic as we feel a softer side to this killer 4-piece. The rhythm section comes in with a snare/bass combo that lets the cymbal snaps take the track onwards as we allow ourselves to be taken with the band on their journey; the melodies and structure of the track instantly grab our attention as the guitar licks drop in and really let the track tell its own story. The track has a real softness and a vulnerable side to it that changes the dynamic of this awesome track that really lets Holly do her thing.

Smile – A crunching guitar shred kicks in the doors as this fast, furious number gathers pace as the bass kicks control the direction of this pop-punk bruiser as the band digs deep and lets the groove break free. The kickass bassline is giving us a real meaty, delicious groove that works well with the arrangement as the band comes at us with all it has for sure; the whole thing is a real shot in the arm as it grabs our attention as the tempo again changes pace as the soaring riffs combine with the melodic lyrics as the dark, brooding rhythm section brings a real heavy-tinged tone that really works in this punk-infused piece. The band is really letting us feel their ambition with this sizzling 4-track bruiser that really allows them to tell their story their way.

Riot Weekend –

Holly – Vocals / Bass

Tomma – Guitars

Rab – Guitars

Salvatore – Drums

Track Listing –

                      Last Of The Autumn Leaves

                      Harry

                      Days In December

                      Smile