When it comes to female singers, I think we can all agree that the biggest pebble to make a splash in the Pop Punk pond was Paramore's, Haley Williams. Starting a trend that became all we would hear from 2004 onward regarding female-fronted Pop Punk, Williams had a sound that would be mimicked time and time again. That is, of course, until 2011 when Melbourne gave us the alternative to a style so overdone. The gravelly tones of the aggressive, Pop Punk 5-piece, Up And Atom.
Releasing their sophomore self-titled EP and touring south-east Asia all in the space of a year, Up And Atom showed the world that they were going to make some changes around here.
Given the band's rapidly-expanding popularity, they're back with their appropriately-titled follow up EP, Growing Pains.
The first of four tracks is the speedy and aggressive Deceiver/Believer. A healthy dose of trashy Punk drums and hearty back up vocals make for a fitting introduction, if not for the songs repetitiveness. Bashing on for only 2:40, repetitive riffs and direction-less fills give off the feeling that Deceiver/Believer could have been a whole minute shorter.
Filling in the gaps is Newport. The short, punchy and positive title of Growing Pains, littered with chunky riffs, thumping sing-alongs, and ear-pleasing guitar harmonies. Making good use of two minutes and twenty eight seconds, Newport leaves you singing, “well be back, my friends. I'm leaving this behind and it's all I wanted in the end".
On the softer side, Feel Good Song Of A Disappointing Year brings about the end of Growing Pains. Keeping things Punky whilst introducing an acoustic guitar is no easy feat, but with the help of Emily's scratchy vocals and a snappy rhythm played on drums and complimented by bass, Up And Atom finish off the EP in their raw and honest ways.
Compared to Up And Atom's self-titled EP, Growing Pains is messy, lacks in depth and really didn't grow on me much at all. However, fans of fast-paced Pop Punk, gnalry raw vocals and catchy guitar hooks will get a kick out of this.
So if you like it hard, rough and fast don't go past Growing Pains - out now!
Tracklist:
1. Deceiver/Believer
2. Newport
3. Day To Day
4. Feel Good Song Of A Disappointing Year
Rating:
Written by John Floreani
