Franklin Gotham’s new EP Good Times Bad Times feels like a warm road-trip through memory. The Alexandria, VA indie-pop trio blend bright guitars, folk-rock harmonies and a dash of alt-rock into five songs bursting with nostalgia and honest emotion. According to one write-up, the EP balances “nostalgia with vibrant alt-pop energy” for listeners chasing meaning in “modern moments of love, loss, and transition”. Bright melodies give way to wistful reflection – in one review it even “captures nostalgia in a bottle”, so each track feels instantly familiar.
The first track, Caroline, is a slow-burning heartbreak song. It’s described as “a haunting indie-pop ballad” that captures the ache of an unresolved love. Even when the tune is gentle and melodic, you feel the singer longing for someone far away. Critics note Caroline “delves into the pain of lost connections” and “weaves haunting melodies with raw emotion”. It’s the kind of song that might make you stare out the window, thinking of a summer romance that slipped away.
Life In A Northern Town follows and adds warmth. Franklin Gotham’s cover of the Dream Academy classic runs on sunny folk-rock energy and rich harmonies. The band gives it “full-band instrumentation and signature harmonies,” blending their alt-indie style with respect for the original. The result feels both nostalgic and new – like hearing an old favorite on fresh speakers. As one reviewer notes, their version is “heartfelt and energetic,” giving the song a familiar, comforting glow.
Finally, Star Words (feat. DJ Remedy) closes the EP on a playful note. This short track literally samples clips from Star Wars dialogue over a light indie beat, sparking instant nostalgia. It’s like the band left a geeky Easter egg for the listener. Reviewers say Star Words pieces together those movie sounds into something “bright yet close to wistful”. In short, it’s a fun, upbeat capstone – the kind of song that makes you smile as the credits roll on a great movie.
Good Times Bad Times shows Franklin Gotham growing up while keeping their charm. Their previous EPs (like Blueskies & Makeup and You’re the Moon) hinted at this same pop-folk blend, and now each song comes with a bit more confidence. One write-up notes the band “continue to evolve while keeping [their] core sound intact”, and every new release adds “a unique chapter to their evolving sound”. On this EP that chapter is especially warm and nostalgic, balancing heartache with flashes of hope.
In the end, Good Times Bad Times is Franklin Gotham at its most inviting. The songs might make you tear up over what’s passed, but they also leave you feeling uplifted. One review even calls it “Franklin Gotham at their most accessible and emotionally resonant” – a soundtrack for “letting go, looking back, and finding your way forward”. It’s perfect for late-night drives or quiet afternoons. The music feels like an understanding friend, whispering that it’s okay to remember both the good and the bad.