Oxymorrons – Melanin Punk
Oxymorrons – Melanin Punk
Mascot Records
Release Date: 20/10/23
Running Time: 28:28
Review by Laura Barnes
9/10
NYC has historically had one hell of a music scene. From the unbridled rage of the New York hardcore scene to the lyrical consciousness of East Coast hip hop, the city has contributed massively to both the punk and rap worlds. Now, the city welcomes a band that unites New York’s musical history under one righteous banner: Oxymorrons. With their debut album “Melanin Punk”, the band have crafted a gem that will hit hard for anyone raised on the music of the late 90s and early 2000s.
The fact that “Melanin Punk” is a debut album is astonishing. The songs are tight and well-structured, the production confident and clear. ‘Last Call’ is a track that can proudly join what I have dubbed The Great Emo Resurgance, its main hook so infectious that it is destined for a lifetime of late-night radio play (oh, and shout out to Troi Irons! They’re great on this!). The same goes for ‘Graveyard Words’, another track that wears its emo influence on its sleeve and has a chorus that wouldn’t be out of place on a teenage vampire drama. Meanwhile, the album’s happier moments are dominated by total fist-pumpers – title track ‘Melanin Punk’ is a recipe for a sweet sweet moshpit catharsis, and ‘Mike Shinoda Flow’ is three and a half minutes of rap-rock fun. Honestly, the album could continue in this vein all the way through to the end and I’d be happy with it, but that would be too easy for Oxymorrons. They choose to close out the album with the reflective ‘Moon Chasers’, a song that throws out punkish cynicism and wears its heart on its sleeve. Nostalgic and bittersweet, I couldn’t think of a lovelier way to end the album.
With “Melanin Punk”, Oxymorrons have hit the goal in the back of the net. They have proven they can write a bloody good song in any genre they choose. I’m confident that this album will be a success, and hope that the band can use this success as a springing board to explore wilder musical ideas and push the boundaries even further. In the meantime, I reckon I’m gonna have this one on repeat for a while.
TRACKLISTING:
01. Enemy
02. Last Call (ft. Troi Irons)
03. Graveyard Words
04. Look Alive (Nectic)
05. Head for the Hills (ft. Kid Bookie)
06. Melanin Punk
07. Mike Shinoda Flow (ft. Hyro the Hero)
08. Insomnia
09. Re-Up (ft. KANNER)
10. Moon Chasers
LINE-UP:
Deee – Vocals
KI – Vocals
Matty Mayz – Drums
Jafé Paulino
LINKS:
Disclaimer: This review is solely the property of Laura Barnes and Ever Metal. It is strictly forbidden to copy any part of this review, unless you have the strict permission of both parties. Failure to adhere to this will be treated as plagiarism and will be reported to the relevant authorities.
