MERVYN – Oblivion
Genre: Heavy metal, Electronica
The present is immensely tense. This is something that oughtn’t surprise anyone who’s been in the vicinity of a news report during the last few years. While it might all be a mess of our own making and something that we should consider fixing pretty soon, what we have to say about it can also be fascinating. MERVYN’s dystopian metal may have a comment or two to share.
The fact is that pop music sounds simply won’t do. It’s all the more shocking that record labels continue to insist otherwise. As we speak, ALL of the Top 40 hits across the global charts discuss relationships, earning money and getting famous. These are hardly clever reports on what all of us are actually living through.
MERVYN’s “Oblivion” is a perfect soundtrack to the days of our lives. It’s so effective at reporting the constant state of dread and the almost suicidal direction of our civilisation that it needs not say anything. In fact, most sounds here are muffled in distortion. They make regular listeners feel uncomfortable. They make one search for some relief and release from them. Yeah, that’s the world we live in, and only a few, like MERVYN, dare think about it, let alone write songs about it.
Last Chance to Say Goodbye – Lies
Similar artists: Rise Against, The Offspring, AFI
Genre: Skate Punk, Pop Punk, Alternative Rock
The terrible stereotype with which most musicians who play in punk-rock bands must live is that they do not know how to play their instruments. Of course, this perception arises from the relative lack of complexity of the famous, original punk-rock songs. The impression was further fueled by groups like Sex Pistols, who proudly boasted of having no musical abilities, something which simply was not true.
By 2023, some of the finest musicians have chosen to play punk rock. They do it not always because this is a style of music that requires no musical chops. While these groups do still exist, they have become a minority. No, most musicians, even the incredibly gifted ones, find a connection with the spirit and energy of punk-rock music.
This is the case also with Last Chance to Say Goodbye on their single “Lies,” a tense and well-constructed pop-punk song whose complex architecture and mood shifts could just as well recall classic progressive rock. Furthermore, this approach should be enough to show that the future of guitar bands playing arenas is not tied to one simple, straightforward formula. In punk-rock, as in all styles, innovation is needed, and Last Chance to Say Goodbye are among the bands that believe in this.
