There is a dusty memory I have that is relevant to share before diving into this review. I’m sitting in my college radio station, likely 11pm on a Thursday. Across from me sits Pat Hatt, then visiting my show under the moniker Like Wild. We’re probably waxing poetic about rare intersections of pop punk, hardcore, and folk music; genre blends that seem to only exist in towns with rich histories of local music. Local music that shifts with every generation and bubbles in what feels like the middle of nowhere to a bunch of teenagers – towns like Lancaster, PA. I’m likely expressing my excitement that, despite both of our various tangles with the pop punk and hardcore scenes we grew up with, I’m keen to hear his next chapter exploring a more folky sound. I ask him to play his cover of the Tom Waits classic “San Diego Serenade” because it’s one of my favorites from his new EP.
I’ve had the privilege of knowing and admiring Hatt’s songwriting for over [redacted] years. And this particular memory sheds light on what he’s been about since day one. When you grow up with and play shows with bands like Carousel Kings and August Burns Red, against the backdrop of the corn fields and the Amish, you’re bound to get some interesting sounds. And that sets the stage for what to expect with his upcoming self-titled EP: a mix of many great influences strung together with a through line of classic folk and Americana.
Hatt, now far from the farmlands of Lancaster, has planted seeds in California and doesn’t shy away from that feeling of breaking loose. His opening track of the new EP is a love letter to the open road and the search for finding a place that just feels right. “Drunk on Leaving,” like the four tracks that follow, is jam-packed with twangy guitars, upbeat rhythm, and earnest vocals. It’s got a little Jason Isbell, a little Old 97s, and even some The War on Drugs.
I may be biased, or rather have an advantage of knowing his story, but my favorite part of this EP is that you can really hear the many lives lived in it. You can hear the travels, the self-reflection, and the newfound lust for life. “I’m Gonna Ride” explores all of that the most on this EP. An acknowledgment of nostalgia, and aging, and the refusal to give up too easily. It’s got a memorable leading riff, a wailing solo, and another catchy chorus with pop undertones.
Overall, this EP is just super consistent. It’s a perfect folky jam that unapologetically explores an open road. It’s rich with narrative and approachable choruses that beg for singalongs. It feels like it was born in highway bars with the urge to run towards something bigger.
These songs are honest, well-produced, refreshing, and catchy as hell. It’s a perfect collection to fuel a summer roadtrip and it’s best enjoyed with windows down and the volume as high as you can tolerate.
Pat Hatt is out everywhere on July 11. Listen to the latest single below:
The Indy Review 