Hospital Bracelet was first introduced to the world with a short and simple acoustic record dropped with little fanfare into the Bandcamp ecosphere in 2019. That record, Neutrality Acoustic, was quickly passed around in online DIY circles, amassing a dedicated following and turning singer/guitarist Eric Christopher into a rising star in the Chicago emo scene. Now, freshly signed to emo favorite label Counter Intuitive Records and following some unfortunate COVID delays, the band's true debut, South Loop Summer, is finally here. Unsurprisingly, South Loop Summer shares a lot of DNA with it's predecessor, Neutrality Acoustic. The record once again puts an unrelenting focus on Eric Christopher's diaristic songwriting, boisterous energy, and soul-baring performances. But while Neutrality Acoustic was carried by pure emotive power and unpolished DIY charm, South Loop Summer builds upon that core with tighter riffs and better performances across the board.