Album by Billy Cobb

Some records feel like nostalgia bait.

This one feels like someone who genuinely loves 1996-97 music and decided to make a tight, five-song tribute to it without sounding like parody.

Zerwee III is Weezer and Bob Mould-coded power pop punk done with total conviction. Fuzzy guitars. Big harmony stacks. Chunky riffs. Clean, punchy production. It’s melodic, sharp, and ridiculously catchy.

And it knows exactly what it’s doing.

“Cry” might be the crown jewel. It’s pure sad-song-done-loud-and-fast energy. Melodic, clever, and hooky as hell. If you told me this was a lost track from Weezer during the Blue Album or Green Album sessions, I’d believe you. The bridge lands. The hook sticks. It’s just a perfect little power pop gem.

“Put It Off” leans even harder into the reference points. There’s a My Name Is Jonas vibe here mixed with this fast vocal delivery that nods toward “We Didn’t Start the Fire” (which he literally references). Then the chorus slows down and explodes outward. Louder, bigger, more anthemic. It’s a smart structural move that makes the hook hit even harder.

“Time to Let Go” starts with a bit more earnestness before layering in subtle studio tricks (stacked vocals, texture shifts) that give it dimension without overcomplicating things.

And yes, this entire EP draws heavily from ’90s alt-rock and power pop. But it doesn’t feel derivative. It feels affectionate. It’s not copying, it’s celebrating. There really is enough songwriting craft here to stand on its own.

It’s only five songs. And honestly? Every one of them lands.

A tight, joyful reminder of a kind of irreverent guitar music we don’t get enough of anymore.

Verdict: Great

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