Ray Hawthorne, best known for his work in North Kingsley, has taken a page or two out of Pete Wentz’s playbook, borrowing from true, classic emo sound in his ep named after the classic Nicole Kidman ad, ‘Heartbreak Feels Good In A Place Like This.’ Every second of this ep will transport you back to 2003, with the smell of burnt side bangs guiding you through even the toughest of days.

However, it’s important to note, that Hawthorne’s work does not sound like a parody. As a classic emo kid myself, it doesn’t feel like I’m being made fun of, but rather, embraced instead. He isn’t poking fun at any old tropes, but taking the sounds we know and love, modernizing them while doing them real justice.

The title track feels like when Hot Topic was still scary, closed via iron gate doors, MCR in the background as you pick out some new band merch and snakebites that your mom doesn’t approve of yet.

Hawthorne solidifies his love for the genre, perhaps expressing his devotion best in the song “EMERGENCY” appropriately featuring scene icon Kellin Quinn. He picked the exact right person to join him in this song; Quinn’s vocals are a staple around here, with many crediting him for helping them push through tough topics that the song touches on. “EMERGENCY” positions Hawthorne as an emo legend himself, earnestly conveying the ups and downs of his sobriety journey.

“EMERGENCY” and “Felt Cute, Might Die Later” are my two personal favorites in the whole ep. They do the best job of establishing Hawthorne’s place in the scene. Nothing is gimmicky, everything feels honest, and Hawthorne’s vocals are just as impressive as the songs’ production value. Someday, “Heartbreak Feels Good In A Place Like This” is going to be played at every Emo Nite across the country and beyond.