When you think of Baltimore, a lot of things may come to mind; the Orioles, soft shell crab and Old Bay seasoning, to name a few. But more than anything, I think of the bursting Baltimore music scene that I’ve fallen in love with since I was younger.

With natives Good Charlotte, Have Mercy and my favorite boys in All Time Low, the pop-punk scene in the Old Line State is flourishing year after year. Newcomers to the scene 3PM are no exception; the trio, which formed in 2012, have that distinct sound reminiscent of some of their influences (Blink 182, Green Day, New Found Glory) while bringing their own new energy to the table. Their album Slow Me Down was released in August and has everything you would want in a solid pop-punk release.

The album opens with “Missed Call” which caught my attention instantly with its buildup and catchy lyrics. “Something New” had an opening that brought me right back to All Time Low’s So Wrong It’s Right days, while the title track “Slow Me Down” reminded me a lot of Hit The Lights with their upbeat energy. “This Is Right” was very well put together on a structural basis; the balance of instruments with the melody and their harmonies within the melody just flowed so well I couldn’t help but smile listening to it.

The guitar part on “My Soul On Fire” had elements of Simple Plan’s “I’m Just A Kid” but they really differentiated themselves in the chorus. One of the highlights on the album as a whole for me was “All Caught Up,” especially the gang vocals, screaming “we could die tomorrow, so let’s live like it today” because I really loved the message it was sending.

They ended with a positive statement in “Who We Are,” showing who they are as musicians and people through their lyrics and instrumentation.

While I did find a lot of comparisons to other artists in the pop-punk scene, I honestly do not see this as a bad thing. They’ve taken a lot of great aspects and elements from established artists and blended them to make their own sound. As these young guns continue to grow and develop, I can see them distinguishing themselves from the crowd even more. With the energy and excitement, they bring to the table I have a feeling people are going to listen.

Be on the lookout for 3PM hitting up the Northeast in October and November; you won’t want to miss out! Check them out on Facebook or Twitter (@3PM_music).