By NINA-MARIE AMADEO

Opinion Co-Editor

Fall Out Boy may have released their first album in four years last April, but the band hasn’t really been back until now. “PAX-AM Days”, a 13-minute, eight-song EP, perfectly recalls their early days of pure, unadulterated punk rock.

Gone are electronic influences and polished guitars, both hallmarks of April’s album “Save Rock and Roll” simultaneously lauded for their wide appeal and denounced for straying too far from the band’s roots. In their place are pounding drums and distorted, overlaid guitars.

The longest song of the collection clocks in at only two minutes and 41 seconds, but the brevity of the songs serves as additional emphasis of the fast-paced-to-the-point-of-franticness style.

Opener “Art Of Keeping Up Disappearances” jumps from one riff to another, with lead singer Patrick Stump adopting a hurried style to keep up. The trend continues throughout the EP, with the emotion he brings to the lines more than admirable and accentuated by the pace at which he delivers them. What could have easily turned into angry shouts instead contains impressive intricacies nuanced by tone and enhanced by slight changes in instrumentation.

The downside of all this is the reappearance of Stump’s old habit: forgetting to enunciate.

While certainly an improvement from the band’s freshman effort “Take This To Your Grave,” there are definitely moments that leave the listener wondering what’s being said. This is most noticeable in “American Made,” where there are few full, clear lines besides the first: “When I was younger, I couldn’t wait for the days to past/Now I know they’ll never last.”

It’s obvious, though, that the EP’s highlight is “Hot to the Touch, Cold on the Inside.” The repetition of the title followed by a determined “they’re not taking us alive” is utterly contagious, driven by drummer Andy Hurley’s steady beat that’s perfectly torn to shreds by Joe Trohman’s masterful guitar work and underlined by Pete Wentz’ bass. It’s clear that the band is back to working as a cohesive unit, a concern which drove the four to their 2008 hiatus, according to Rolling Stone.

Still, “PAX-AM Days” is raw. Production is minimal on most tracks, assaulting the listener for all 16 minutes yet leaving them wanting more. Fans of Fall Out Boy’s early catalog will rejoice, while newer fans might find themselves utterly confused by the sharp departure from “Save Rock and Roll”. However, “PAX-AM Days” is perfect for what it is: an unpolished, unapologetic pop-punk record.

“PAX-AM Days” will be out on October 15 as part of a physical “Save Rock and Roll” re-release, though fans will be able to purchase the EP alone via iTunes. A vinyl copy will also be available. In the meantime, all eight songs are streaming on the band’s Youtube channel.