By Lillian-Mae Haney – Staff Reporter

Modern Baseball is an indie rock and emo band from Philadelphia, started by college friends Brendan Lukens and Jake Ewald. They began making music while they were still in school, writing songs that felt personal and kind of awkward in a relatable way. Their sound mixes pop-punk energy with honest, sometimes self-deprecating lyrics about relationships, mental health, and growing up. What makes Modern Baseball stand out is how real they sound. They’re not trying too hard to impress anyone.

Their debut album, “Sports,” captures what it feels like to grow up and not have everything figured out. The record is full of songs about heartbreak, insecurity, and trying to find confidence in who you are. Each track feels like a personal diary entry written by someone just trying to understand life. The songs “The Weekend” and “Cooke” stand out most, each showing a different side of the band.

One of the biggest strengths of “Sports” is its honesty. The lyrics feel like conversations with a close friend. In “The Weekend”, Lukens sings, “You’ve got a smile that could light this town,” before admitting his own insecurity. “Tears Over…” is witty and self-aware, with the line, “You’re taking your time to make sure you don’t get caught up in me,” capturing the awkwardness of one-sided affection. Even slower songs like “Cooke” show emotional depth, as Ewald sings softly, “I’ve been waiting for the world to burn, so I can call you and tell you it’s all right.” The mix of humor, emotion, and honesty makes this album special.

Despite its emotional impact, “Sports” can sometimes feel repetitive. Many of the songs follow a similar tempo and rhythm, which makes a few of them blend together. The rough production also makes the sound less polished, but that raw, DIY quality gives the album its charm. A bit more musical variety could make the album even more dynamic and help highlight the band’s best moments.

Overall, “Sports” is an incredible debut that captures the messy, confusing, and emotional parts of growing up. Its lyrics are honest and relatable, and its sound perfectly matches the imperfections of real life. 

Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars