“Rufio?! Like from back in the day Rufio?” Those were the words out of my mouth while claiming my next review. I wore out Perhaps, I Suppose as a teenager and my curiosity piqued. It has been 25 years since that album was released and 16 years since we have heard from Rufio at all. Regardless of these facts, we have all carried those sing-a-long melodies and contagious hooks with us this entire time. That all changes on August 7, 2026 with the release of From the Outside via Double Helix Records and Double Felix Records. This EP has a bigger emphasis on where the band members find themselves today and focuses more on the realities of responsibility, anxiety, loss, and personal growth. Lead singer, Scott Sellers, says, "From The Outside represents how much we've aged. It's a bit slower, a bit more structured, and a lot more serious lyrically."
It’s apparent right from the moment the music begins with “Maps” that this is the same band from my youth. It’s catchy right from the jump and it is just as I had remembered their sound. There was more to it lyrically this time, however. There is a depth and a maturity that wasn’t necessarily lacking in their previous work, but definitely shines through more now. What a most perfect first song to convey the intentions of this EP.
Guitars and Drums thunder us into the next track, “From the Outside.” It seems to be one of the most personal on the album. Lyrically inspired from the passing of his father, Seller recalls that, “The lyric, ‘promise me you’ll love me from the outside,’ is me kind of speaking to my dad after his passing.” The instrumental accompaniment behind the words creates this dynamic force that alternates between power and somberness.
“Last Goodbye” starts off a bit slower and then blasts off. Tackling the topic of anxiety and the stresses of life, it shows off how you become more self aware of your past and current behaviors and coping skills. There is both beauty and tragedy in that cognizance.
Everyone knows the type of person mentioned in “The Worst.” This song has the absolute catchiest chorus of the entire EP and stuck in my head for days. WIth the current state of this country - this is the war cry that we all need. There is a seriousness in the music here that ties perfectly with the message.
If the punk scene had a theme song - “Another Letdown” would be a top contender. This song ends this way too short EP and is the closest recipe to the punk rock of my youth. I’ll always carry with me the line, “Call me a disgrace and being insecure. Problematic year lasts 24.”
Listening to From the Outside was like randomly bumping into a cherished friend whom you haven’t seen in years. You spend the next few brief minutes cramming the last two decades in and catching each other up on personal life events. You walk away feeling content; realizing that your friend still has the same spirit of their youth. It’s just a more seasoned version of it. You look forward to your next interaction, even if it takes another 15 years.
