I’ve been an enthusiastic surf pop fan for quite some time now, and Best Coast is a staple to the genre.
The band’s latest EP, Fade Away, will drop on October 22. Until then, Best Coast has graced us with a new single.
Band members Bethany Cosentino and Bobb Bruno released the single titled “I Don’t Know How” on September 16 .

The track starts out with Bethany singing over a simple guitar riff. Her voice is clear and mournful. The song continues at a ballad pace with subtle harmonies.
Halfway through the song, the tempo speeds up and feels more pop-country than surf, yet still has a ballad feel to it.
Best Coast had released an exclusive 7 inch, containing the track “Fear of My Identity,” for Record Store Day earlier this year. This track will also be on Fade Away.

“Fear of My Identity” is fuzzier and more reminiscent of the band’s 2010 album, Crazy For You, as opposed to the more country-esque adult contemporary vibes I got from their last album, The Only Place.
The new EP could go either way. I think the band lost a lot of its charm when they changed up their sound. I miss the old days of Best Coast when every track was gritty, fuzzy, and lighthearted. I can respect Bethany and Bobb for trying out a new sound, but I do hope they return to their roots.