A superb playlist of thoughtful, meaningful pop-punk and rock tracks. Merit Maker bring something clearly original, creative and purposeful to the scene, and the tracks are not only a pleasure to escape into at volume, but help shine light on a sense of warmth and belief in better, particularly during such trying and conflicted times as these.
Pop Punk
From the upcoming EP Elemental, Watch The World Burn is refreshingly genuine and compelling from a lyrical perspective, injecting a genuine sense of conceptual depth and poetry into the timeless energy and embrace of pop punk, and in the process reminding us of the talent and infectious energy of King Of Cups.
From the upbeat Owl City electro warmth and anthemic peak of Rearview Mirror, the energising nature and thoughtful undertones of this album are made clear, and as we proceed into the heavier rock energy and tempo of Guitar Hero III, suddenly that nostalgia redirects us towards the Tony Hawks soundtracks and beyond – another fork in the road that’s unexpected but satisfying.
Great production lets the natural rock energy and vocal prowess of Sunrise in Jupiter shine beautifully, for the euphoric summer anthem Take Me Home.
An indie gem for the long-time alternative rock and pop-punk / emo fans across the board. North Carolina solo songwriter and musician Violet Wish ignites the passion and power of the past, with the energising arrangement and deeply reflective emotional heartbreak of Thanksgiving.
‘Won’t let go until you say so’ resounds and repeats, alongside that recognisable riff, and as the music settles in to the long-term memory, the song’s underlying sense of emotional complexity and unrequited love connects all the more intensely.
Beautiful songwriting and a timeless arena pop-rock set-up that’s instantly energising – The UK’s own Josh Moncrieff captures a melodic and impassioned beating heart, for his brand new single Into The Blue.
Uruguayan-British songwriter, drummer and singer Naty Giachino has contributed her talents to a multitude of projects in her years on the scene. The experienced performer and global collaborator began releasing her own solo works just last year, and the result is the uniquely eclectic yet vocally grounded and distinct album Just A Drummer.
Great songwriting, a hint of Papa Roach nostalgia, catchy and immensely alternative all at once. A Million Little Fires consistently bring originality and realness to the scene, alongside that essential talent and unity as a band. Absolutely an act worth tuning in for this year.
Nostalgic pop-punk vocals and cultural references fire up the old-school appeal and uplift of SOMETHING UR NOT’s latest surf-rock single.
Introducing a uniquely distinct vocal lead and supporting voices that inject an all-together-now sense of oneness, Brace is a refreshingly honest and personal new single, from a band whose sound subtly intertwines aspects of indie rock and Brit-pop across a modern and fairly limitless creative aura.
Superb guitar, bass and drum unity at a high-octane pace storms into view – nostalgic and original melody and vocal dynamic quickly capturing attention from afar. Captain Graveyard delivers a boldly unique yet perfectly structured and satisfying ode to timeless hard-rock, with the precise complexity and weight of Tragedy of a blood romance.