Since releasing their debut EP back in 2018, Auckland pop/punk outfit {Melanie} have been making quite a name for themselves in the old-fashioned way of doing things, namely playing anywhere and everywhere, and having total belief in themselves and their music. When I first saw them, I was impressed that here was an unsigned band who had invested in having their debut album pressed in vinyl and had a few different t-shirts available as well as some other merch including stickers. They had brought all this with them to The Wine Cellar and everyone who was going into their sold-out show was being spoken to about what they wanted. Given that many young bands either do not have merch for sale or have left it at home in the bassist’s bedroom again (you know who you are) or have not made investment in a physical CD let alone vinyl, this was incredibly welcome. Seeing them play showed me just why they had so much faith, as here is a high energy band with a great deal to offer.
This 4-track EP is the first new product since I saw them play, and I smiled when I realised the song titles all start with the relevant letter of the album (track one is All Talk, No Trousers, track 2 Brains etc). Closer Delivery Boy manages to just scrape over 3 minutes, while the other 3 are under 2 and All Talk, No Trousers barely manages 80 seconds. It does not matter about the length though, feel the width, as they manage to cram highly memorable pop punk numbers into the time available, making sure that nothing ever outstays its welcome. They take their influence more from NZ and the UK than the American scene, unlike many others who seem to be fascinated with Blink 182, and while they have less of the Oi! factor they are somewhat reminiscent of classic Sham 29 in that there is plenty of aggression, yet it is tempered so listeners want to have a good time, jump and down and singalong as opposed to do anything aggressive. They have room for guitar solos which make sense within the song, without ever going into anything too metallic. We even get some acoustic guitar at the beginning of Delivery Boy, before they become way more serious and decide to play at doom speed (did I say serious?). But it isn’t long before normal service is resumed, and they are off on their high-octane trip once again.
This is a load of fun, from beginning to end, and with their work ethic combined with a great sense of melody surely it cannot be long before they break out of the Auckland circuit.
Rating: 8/10
