Rooted in the heart of Calgary, Jackson Reed and the Silverbirds exist as a colorful conduit between the golden age of rock and the sleek beat of the contemporary world. Fronted by the keen songwriting sensibilities of lead vocalist Jackson Reed, the band has created a sound that is at once nostalgic and fresh. This melodic alchemy pays homage to the legends of the past while forging a bold, new path. Their music is emotionally honest, never seeking to hide behind a façade, and instead choosing to tell a raw, true story. On January 30th, they bottled the lightning with the release of their six-track EP, “Live in ‘25.” It is an album that pulses with the energy of a roomful of people in motion, eschewing the perfection of the studio for the raw, live energy of a performance. I’ll be your guide on this musical journey, so let’s enter the spotlight and examine the EP, track by track.

“Calm Before the Storm” is the album’s big opening number. The EP establishes its foundation not with a bang, but with a rolling snare beat and a clean, jangly guitar melody that is akin to watching the sunrise over a highway. It doesn’t go off with a bang; instead, it builds with rhythmic patience that echoes the title’s sentiment. Although the song is instrumental, it shows why it’s performed live. At the end of the song, the crowd in front of the band erupts in cheers and applause, and then an announcer introduces the band. With this fantastic track, we’re off to a good start in this EP.

The transition from the first track to this one is seamless, and the next track is titled “Did I Miss Out (Live)”. This live performance begins with a lively drum fill and a classic blues guitar riff that has an instant “stadium rock” feel. The concert hall’s natural reverb is also evident, adding a sense of authenticity to the opening. The subject matter is a raw, unfiltered exploration of FOMO (fear of missing out) and the chilling thought that, while we were busy planning our own lives, something happened elsewhere. It’s about the pain of the “road not taken” and the ghosts of past friends. This song is very relatable because of the way the world now labels various age gaps. We have the boomers, millennials, Gen Z, and Gen Alpha. Each year gap will definitely understand this because each year gap feels left out by the year gap above them. The vocals have a more longing, strained quality to them in the higher register during the chorus, which captures the desperation of the lyrics perfectly. The Silverbirds are in top form here as a cohesive group, with a Hammond-style organ built in the background that adds a rich, soulful quality. The listener is left with a bittersweet rush of adrenaline; it’s the kind of song that makes you want to pick up the phone and call that old flame or long-lost friend to see if they’re still there.

Next is “They Can’t Stop Us (Live)”. This song opens with an eruption of applause and cheers. The mood and tempo both rise as the song starts with lightning-fast, distorted power chords and a pulsing four-on-the-floor beat that immediately puts the crowd’s hands in the air. This is the EP’s anthem of defiance. In terms of subject matter, it’s a “us against the world” anthem celebrating the human spirit and the band’s relationship with their fans. The message is one of empowerment, a big middle finger to the naysayers and the systems that keep people down, and a warning to these people that no matter what they do, they can never break their spirit or stop them from breaking forth. The music is frenetic, with heavy, fuzzy guitars and vocals that are meant to be sung along to. The effect is purely visceral. It’s an adrenaline rush that makes the listener feel invincible, capturing that special something of a live performance where, for four minutes, nothing else in the world matters except the music and the person right next to you.

“Warmth of July (Live)” is the song that follows. Although the song starts with applause and cheers, the tempo drops into an intro of mellow, melodic bass and a shimmering, tremolo-drenched guitar that sounds like heat waves radiating off the pavement. The idea is one of summer flings and the memories we associate with particular seasons. The lyrics are a perfect encapsulation of golden hour light and the transience of happiness. This song to me is the summer scenes in the popular romantic flick “The Notebook. Jackson’s singing is as personal as it gets here, dipping into a smoky, lower register that sounds like a secret shared between friends. The music is sparse and ambient, giving the “Silverbirds” a chance to show off their chops, knowing when to hold back and let the silence speak. This song gives the listener a chance to indulge in some sun-kissed nostalgia, capturing the idea of “longing for a place you can never go back to.”

Up next is “Maxine (Live)”. This song kicks off with a staccato, rhythmic acoustic strum and an accompanying playful walking bass line, giving it a slight folk-rock shuffle and a catchy mouth percussion. It’s the most personality-driven song on the EP, featuring a protagonist named Maxine, a woman who is perhaps a little too wild for her own good, or perhaps the only one living. The message is one of appreciation for the “misfit” and the beauty in those who won’t settle down, and let me tell you that this Maxine smites the character in the song! If this Maxine is anything like the Maxine in the popular sci-fi series “Stranger Things”, then I totally understand why she’s so hypnotizing!. The vocal delivery is chock-full of personality, with Jackson almost “acting out” the lyrics, complete with some impressive bluesy vocal licks. The music is bright and infectious, featuring a killer guitar solo that feels like it’s happening in the moment. It’s the kind of song that will leave you grinning, feeling like you just met a legendary character in a small-town dive bar.

“Do You Feel the Way I Do, ” the final piece of the EP, is a song that opens with lush vocal harmonies and a rhythmic acoustic beat, gradually building into a full-band production. The subject matter is the ultimate question of connection: “Is this real? What are we? And are we in this together?” It is a very vulnerable look at romantic confusion and the search for validation. Finally, it introduces us to a character who is trying to “hard launch” his relationship. The level of musicianship on this track is the most refined on the album, serving as the transition from the live setting back to the recording studio. The vocals are sharp and expressive, layered in a way that feels like a hug. The effect is one of closure and resolution. The listener is left to ponder their own connections and the universal human experience of wanting to be understood.

As their momentum surges both at home and across the globe, this EP serves as a definitive stake in the ground of the contemporary pop-rock landscape. What makes “Live in ’25 “so striking is its refusal to let the listener be a passive observer. There is no “filler” here—only a relentless pull into the band’s evolving world. Each track tackles subject matter that feels both intimate and expansive, but it’s the live energy that truly shatters the glass. Often, I listen to a studio recording and have to close my eyes to imagine how the songs might breathe in a crowded room; here, the imagination is unnecessary. The EP provides a total, immersive experience that puts you front-row-center, feeling the bass’s vibration and the heat of the spotlight. It is a vivid reminder of how far they’ve come and a thrilling preview of the heights they are destined to reach. For those of us who live for the magic of a live show, this isn’t just an EP, it’s a masterclass in connection.

Stream the “Live in ‘25” EP on Spotify.

Follow Jackson Reed and The Silverbirds here and on his socials: Instagram, YouTube