Break Anchor is the latest band from Jay Navarro of Suicide Machines and more recently Hellmouth, although this new band is a departure from Hellmouth's trash meets hardcore sound. The band plays a brand of pop-punk that fits right in the Midwestern scene.

The opening track "All I Have" will pull you in, talking about how we can get so caught up in our daily routines that we forget how to live. A real punk anthem for those of us who are overworked and underpaid. "Can We Pretend," the second song, has a chorus that should be sung loud and preferably drunk. Navarro's vocals really shine on this one--gravely yet melodic. The EP closes with the final track "A Failure Of Epic Proportions;" clocking in at 5:12 it is the longest song of the EP, and deals with the general angst and anxiety that could only come from living in such a place as Detroit. That seems to be the general theme of this EP: worry, self-doubt, failure. It can be comforting on those days where you just feel like shit. Navarro's songwriting really shines on this album.

My only real complaint about this release is that it's far too short. You're just getting into it and--boom--done! I really hope we hear more from Break Anchor. A full-length would be ideal.

Overall Black Hearts and Blackouts is a nice little gem of an EP that will leave you wanting more. It would fit right in rotation with Off With Their Heads or Banner Pilot. If you liked Navarro's past efforts (especially the Suicide Machines) or pop-punk this release should not be overlooked.