I like poppy punk: melodies, singalongs, all that predictable stuff. But I also like it rough around the edges, not the super clean production style of Ramonescore or whatever that garbage from the early 2000s that’s on the nostalgia train right now is. So I choose my words carefully because it seems pop-punk means different things to different people. And I lead with that intro because my unofficial rule of thumb is generally: the cleaner it sounds, the less it’s my jam.
But there are always exceptions and I’m trying to pinpoint why. Parker, from Derry, Northern Ireland, is one such band. The sound on this record is clean and accessible, but with gang vocals and some grit within the production that keeps it feeling sincere instead of saccharine. I’m going to say that it’s pop-grounded and the structures vary from the 1-2-3-4 Ramones styles with some heavy doses of emo. It’s predictable and singalong but still simple and to the point. Songs like “Ruin My Life” show a little bit of drama, but without overdoing it. Instead that drama and some of the punchier, cleaner moments give the 10-song album variety instead of commercial appeal.
I enjoy the general sound of this record: upbeat, singalong punk with rough-around-the-edges vocals. It’s emotive, concise and cathartic. That said, the bitter ex vibes feel a little played out. The gang vocals through give a nice universal energy, and “Ruin My Life,” with its hoarse vocals, hits harder than the rest -- even if the theme is a bit melodramatic for me. If you’re into emo with a punker edge or pop-punk with some variance, this may appeal to you. For me, I generally enjoy the sound but it hits me better in small doses, like a single or an EP, than on a 10-song full-length. There’s a good variety of sound, musically. As a full-length, I’d like to hear more variety in lyrical themes to match that.
