Showing posts with label The Melmacs. Show all posts
Showing posts with label The Melmacs. Show all posts

Saturday, April 11, 2026

The Melmacs - EUPHANCHOLIA


In what is shaping up to possibly become my favorite year for new music in decades, The Melmacs' EUPHANCHOLIA currently holds the position of my favorite album of 2026. That is hardly a surprise. I've been teasing the arrival of this LP since January, and all the advance singles were bona fide bangers. EUPHANCHOLIA, which officially released yesterday on Bakraufarfita Records and Wanda Records in Germany and the mighty Spaghetty Town Records here in the USA, more than lives up to what I promised in recent reviews. 

This is now my 12th time reviewing The Melmacs, and my enthusiasm only grows with every write-up. There's no band out there that does a better job of marrying classic punk, power pop, and new wave influences in a way that sounds genuinely fresh and current. Beyond that, there's something special about The Melmacs. In times that have grown increasingly dark and cold, they are a lightning bolt of hope and love. They bring positive energy into a world that desperately needs it. They've made a record that acknowledges the seriousness of life but will ultimately put a smile on your face and add some skip to your step. 

One trend I've noticed in the modern era of punk rock is bands getting better and better as they go along. That is certainly the case with The Melmacs. I liked the band's 2022 debut Good Advice enough to proclaim it one of my favorite albums of the 2020s. But that record was a mere warm-up for EUPHANCHOLIA, which finds The Melmacs making that big leap from very good band to truly great band. Even as the band's musical appeal has remained very much the same, the quality of its songwriting and the distinctiveness of its sound have been refined considerably. The Melmacs fully know who they are and what they want their music to be. The organ plays a larger role on this record, but the guitars don't take a back seat. Bimmi has become one the most likeable and expressive vocalists in the indie/punk universe, and Max's production on this release (with the help of Brown Barcella and Magnus Lindberg on the mixing and mastering side) is pretty much perfect. This is the kind of music I live for. It's catchy, powerful, and exciting, but it's also full of tremendous substance and comes straight from the heart. 

It's no shocker that singles like "Lazy Hearts" and "Run for Your Life" are standout cuts. They were singles for a reason. But The Melmacs left plenty of killer tunes in reserve for us to enjoy when we finally dove into the full album. "The Tide is High" has me pumped to go out and live this day to its fullest. "Falling" is another vintage Melmacs high-energy, booty-shaking, earworm sing-along. I was blown away by "These Days," a song that sounds unlike anything the band has done before. It's a very sophisticated and modern-sounding pop-rock song that could legitimately be a hit if anyone in the music industry had a clue. Likewise, "Deadbeat" shows the band's command of pure pop with a bittersweet taste. Elsewhere, "Showdown" and "Lifetime" find the album taking a full-fury punk rock turn. The ballad "Crying My Heart Out" is a classic example of why The Melmacs are so amazing. It comes on sounding like jangly '60s pop, then seamlessly fast forwards into the '80s, and all the while Bimmi alternates between anguished spoken word ranting and the purest singing she's ever done. A song like this would not have been within The Melmacs' capabilities a few years ago. "Electric Night" puts a glam-bam exclamation mark on an extraordinary album. 

On Good Advice, the Melmacs dispensed some tough love and sage guidance. With EUPHANCHOLIA, the vibe is a little different. These German sweethearts are here to lift you up. They've got your back and want to remind you that it's never too late to live your best life as long as you're still breathing. They're here to cheer you up and cheer you on. In tough and trying times, The Melmacs have brought us the album we need: a pep talk, a kick in the pants, and a giant hug all rolled into one urgent package of anthemic and infectious punk/pop/rock 'n' roll. When it comes to records that live at the intersection of punk rock and power pop, this is about as good as it gets. The Melmacs might remind you of bands you loved decades ago, but they aren't trying to sound like anyone but themselves. I might be guilty of hyperbole if I called them the best band in the world, so I'll show some proper restraint and contend that they at least need to be in the conversation.

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Saturday, March 21, 2026

The Melmacs - "Lazy Hearts"

Just when I thought I couldn't possibly love The Melmacs any more, they're back with another new single that shoots straight to my heart. Now the band's fourth single released in advance of the forthcoming album EUPHANCHOLIA, "Lazy Hearts" is perhaps its purest pop song to date. It's a total earworm. I'm not sure it's humanly possible to create a song catchier than this one — this tune is like caffeine for the soul! You could be having the worst day ever, and then this song comes on, and suddenly your possibilities are endless and your hopes are bright. The band puts so much energy into this musical performance, and Bimmi sings every note with absolute joy. 

This song resonates with me because it's an anthem of encouragement to all those people out there who feel like failures because they haven't yet accomplished the things that society expects of them. But the twist is that they're not failures since they hold on to their dreams and cling to the belief that there has to be more to life than having lots of money and status. The band has dedicated this song to the "stamped daydreamers and true believers" who ultimately make this world a better place. So cheers to all the "lazy boys, all the lazy girls" with their hearts full of gold, and cheers to The Melmacs for making music that restores my faith in humanity. I've been playing this track on repeat and getting pumped for EUPHANCHOLIA, which will be out April 10th on Bakraufarfita Records & Wanda Records in Germany, Spaghetty Town Records in the USA, and Beluga Records in Sweden. I can't wait! 

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Saturday, February 28, 2026

The Melmacs - "Bad Seeds"


I have a running joke that something is seriously wrong with me if I haven't declared an album of the year frontrunner before the end of February. Well I'm cutting it close this time, but I'll gladly put The Melmacs' forthcoming long player EUPHANCHOLIA in the leader's chair at the moment. The Melmacs already have one of my favorite albums of the decade, Good Advice, to their credit. Now they are poised to surpass themselves. "Bad Seeds," the third single from the new album, arrived a couple of days ago, and it's another banger. Musically, this highlights the way the band has held on to its core punk/powerpop sound yet expanded it with elements of new wave and modern rock. And much like the last single, "Keep On," "Bad Seeds" feels like a pep talk to whomever might be listening. 

"Bad Seeds" is a reminder to take a good, hard look at the people around you and ask yourself which of them are bringing light into your life and which ones might be doing the opposite. "Don't let anyone in the world steal your glitter," says the band, and those are truly words to live by. This song is another inspired performance from The Melmacs. You can hear it in Bimmi's impassioned vocals and the electric energy of the music. And even as the song ruminates on dark subject matter, it ultimately turns it all into hope. By that time the chorus hits, you're shouting along, pumping your fist, and resolving to seize back whatever light has been taken from your life. The Melmacs are on fire! Circle April 10th on your calendar. EUPHANCHOLIA will be out Bakraufarfita Records & Wanda Records in Germany, Spaghetty Town Records in the USA, and Beluga Records in Sweden!

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Saturday, February 07, 2026

The Melmacs - "Keep On"


I often think about what it is that draws me to certain bands. Of course The Melmacs are my cup of tea (or better yet, my pint of beer) musically. But beyond that, there's something special with this band. And I just realized it: I've never known another band that puts more love into its music. And I'm not just talking about a love for playing music. I'm talking about using that music to put more love into the universe. New single "Keep On" is a perfect case in point. This song is essentially a pep talk to anyone who might be listening. Its message is simple and powerful: no matter how bad things get, you should never give up on hoping for better things. As long as you believe in yourself, it's never too late to turn things around. And what I appreciate about this song is that it's not really aimed at one person in particular. It's aimed at all of us. How can you possibly listen to this song and NOT feel inspired to be kind to yourself — and to others as well? Musically, this is one of the band's most "pop" songs yet, but it still has that punk energy and urgency to it. Bimmi's sprightly keyboard riff is totally infectious, and the whole song is as well. This is not phony feelgood nonsense — this is a genuine anthem of hope and resolution. The Melmacs are not going to tolerate you quitting on life because they know you deserve better! There are not sufficient words in the English vocabulary for me to convey how much I love this band! The full album EUPHANCHOLIA will be out April, and it's going to be an early contender for album of the year. For now, check out this new single and keep on keeping on!

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Friday, January 16, 2026

The Melmacs - "Run for Your Life"


There are quite a few albums releasing in 2026 that I'm super-excited about. #1 on the list is EUPHANCHOLIA, the sophomore long player from Dresden and Leipzig's mighty The Melmacs. The album will be out April 10th on Bakraufarfita Records and Wanda Records in Germany and Spaghetty Town Records in the USA. It has been nearly three years since I last had the privilege of writing about The Melmacs, so it's delight to today review "Run for Your Life," the first single from EUPHANCHOLIA. This song is vintage Melmacs. Musically it blends all the best parts of power pop, new wave, old school punk, and straight-forward rock 'n' roll. And in typical Melmacs fashion, the song manages to sound upbeat and infectious even though the lyrics are thoughtful and a little dark. This is really becoming this band's signature — crafting deeply serious songs yet having great fun doing it and exuding a contagious joy. This is a band you can always turn to when you're having a bad day or going through a rough patch. A little Melmacs does a lot for the soul! "Run for Your Life" has quickly emerged as my first favorite song of the year, and I can't for the world to hear the whole album!

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Sunday, May 21, 2023

The Melmacs - "Balls"


Back with their second new single in three weeks, The Melmacs continue to kill it with their great new track (and music video) "Balls." The Melmacs have been one of my favorite bands for a while now, and their new tunes suggest that they're only going to rise in my personal rankings. What I love about The Melmacs is that they never waste an opportunity to say something important in a song. With every new single they release, there's a message to the song which is clearly explained in the video description. In the case of "Balls," the band is raging against the scourge of toxic masculinity and rejecting the notion that gender roles have to be binary and traditional. The band's passion for this topic is palpable, but first and foremost this song is a total banger. With The Melmacs, the music is never secondary to the message. "Balls" is an exciting & irresistible number that blends the band's patented powerpop/punk style with some old school riff-driven hard rock and roll. This song has something quite serious to say, but it's still a whole lot of fun. With its killer riff, driving beat, pounding piano, and girl gang backing vocals, "Balls" is a ball of fire in a musical sense. And how fierce is Bimmi's lead vocal? The song's music video is a work of art in its own right. I'll reiterate what I've said before: If you're not into The Melmacs, you're missing one of the best bands out there right now!

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Saturday, April 29, 2023

The Melmacs - "Alive"


The Melmacs, still fresh off of releasing one of the best albums of recent years, are back with the first installment in a new batch of singles! This German foursome is already one of my favorite bands, but "Alive" suggests that The Melmacs are only getting better. In typical Melmacs fashion, it combines catchy melodies and an irresistible energy with serious lyrics that confront darker aspects of modern times. The band describes the track as a "dousing hot-cold-shower, which sums up the blazing, man-made destruction we all live in." That's totally dead-on. "Alive" is nothing short of a powerpop punk anthem. It finds The Melmacs using upbeat music to say something important about society and the world we live in. Somehow optimism and pessimism coexist seamlessly here. Even as the band acknowledges a world plagued by despair, there's a life force to this song that reminds us that not all hope is lost. To be alive — and not just survive  — is a fine thing to aspire to. Meanwhile, The Melmacs have never sounded better as a band. Guitar, drums, bass, keyboards, and vocals are all on-point and in perfect harmony. If this is a taste of what's to come with album #2, I'd say it's going to be something special. And if you don't already own Good Advice, you are seriously depriving yourself!  

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Friday, September 30, 2022

The Melmacs - Good Advice


I've been teasing it for months, and now it's finally out! Good Advice, the knockout debut album from The Melmacs, releases today through a collaboration between Wanda, Barkraufarfita, and Tape Or Die Records. The punk/powerpop world has given us many excellent LPs this year, and Good Advice is without doubt one of the very best of the lot. The Melmacs have been releasing absolutely wonderful music since early 2019 — which means I failed you all for three long years by not alerting you of this awesome band's existence. The shame I carry is considerable. For penance, I will binge-watch ALF all weekend. This foursome based out of Leipzig and Dresden, Germany plays old school power pop punk rock and roll that will make you wanna jump up and down, sing along with the utmost enthusiasm, and forcefully launch positive vibes into the universe. As advertised, the band delivers the perfect mix of "jab jab guitars, jub jub keyboards, pow pow drums, and boom boom bass." This is the epitome of a fun band, and Good Advice is a fun record through and through. Yet at the same time, The Melmacs have a special talent for filling their upbeat, catchy tunes with true lyrical substance. Lead track "Good Advices" is about the wisdom people gain from learning from their mistakes. Elsewhere, the band tackles topics such as bigotry ("Watch Out"), fear ("Stage Fright"), crippling regret ("Retrospective Life"), and the power of persistence ("Carry On"). The Melmacs promised some good advice, and they have delivered. They know how to be really serious without ever taking themselves seriously, and that's the magic recipe for meaningful music.    

A royal treat for any punk/powerpop fan, Good Advice offers up a nice variety of musical selections. Songwriters Bimmi, Remo, and Max complement many energetic punk rock numbers with some pure power pop ("Retrospective Life", "Carry On"), lighters-up arena sing-alongs ("Saturday Night"), and a rousing finale that channels '60s girl groups ("Planet Melmac"). To celebrate the release of Good Advice, today the Melmacs have released the fifth single/music video from the album, "Low Life." Be warned that if you listen to this song, you will most likely need to listen to it dozens of times. It's that catchy. Before you know it, half your day will be gone. But what a way to spend half your day!  

Unfortunately the vinyl has been delayed, but Good Advice is available now from all the major streaming platforms. My good advice is to stop whatever else you're doing and go listen to this album now!

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Sunday, August 28, 2022

The Melmacs - "Saturday Night"


The Melmacs continue their carefully-scheduled teasing of their soon-to-be-released blockbuster debut album with the debut of the new single and music video "Saturday Night." The fourth single off of the forthcoming long player Good Advice, "Saturday Night" is a little bit of a change of pace from the bouncing powerpop/punk of the previous ones. Here The Melmacs slow things down and deliver a reflective sing-along anthem on what happens when a Saturday night doesn't quite live up to expectations. I love that the song shows us a different side of The Melmacs, and now it's certain that live audiences will be showing up with lighters in tow expecting to hear it! The music video, which takes some inspiration from Queen's iconic "Bohemian Rhapsody" video, is a real delight. Well, my friends, we're getting closer. Just one more month to go before Good Advice hits the streets and becomes your favorite album of the year. Smash that pre-order link if you wanna be at the head of the line!

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Saturday, July 23, 2022

The Melmacs - "Stage Fright"


Oh yes! The Melmacs continue to delight with the extended lead-up to their forthcoming album Good Advice! The Leipzig/Dresden-based foursome came up with the wonderful idea of releasing five singles/videos from Good Advice over the course of this summer. "Stage Fright," the third of these singles, released yesterday. This song is yet another fist-pumping blast of power pop punk rock goodness that no human with a soul should be able to resist. In typical Melmacs style, "Stage Fright" is a super-fun song with a very serious message. It examines the way we sometimes allow fear to hold us back from doing the things we want in life. I love a song like this that I can totally relate to on a personal level even as the music makes me wanna dance around the house and sing along at the top of my lungs! Pre-orders for Good Advice (a co-release between Wanda Records, Barkraufarfita Records, and Tape Or Die) are open now on The Melmacs' Bandcamp. I can assure you that the singles are no fluke. This is going to be one of the best albums of the year and one of the best power pop/punk releases in quite some time. If you like punk music that's fun and catchy but also full of heart and substance, The Melmacs ought to be your new favorite band. Luckily, the summer of The Melmacs is far from over: two more singles are coming, and the second of the two will coincide with the official release date of the LP, September 30th. Best summer ever!

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Friday, June 17, 2022

The Melmacs - "Watch Out"


I am beyond pleased to share another advance single from what is sure to be one of the best albums of 2022! German foursome The Melmacs will release their debut album Good Advice this fall on Barkraufarfita Records, Wanda Records, and Tape Or Die. Album preorder is now available via Bandcamp, and a video for new single "Watch Out" premiered this morning. "Watch Out", which The Melmacs describe as their "official announcement against all queer-phobic, sexist, right-wing, trash talking, energy-sucking Eiernacken," again finds this band living in that wonderful space where '77 punk, power pop, and rock and roll meet. This band's ability to write super-fun songs about really serious topics is a true gift. And I can assure you that the rest of the album is just as good as the singles. The best advice I can offer you is to preorder Good Advice today!


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Friday, April 29, 2022

The Melmacs - "Good Advices"


Wow! The Melmacs out of Leipzig and Dresden, Germany have released the first single from their forthcoming debut album, and it's a rocket blast of '77-style punk/powerpop! The album is due out in September on Wanda Records and Barkraufarfita Records. In advance of the album release, The Melmacs will be unleashing several singles over the next few months. First up is "Good Advices," an upbeat number that you'll hear once and end up humming all day! The band has released a music video to accompany the single, and it gives you a great feel for what The Melmacs are all about. And what The Melmacs are all about can be summed up in one word: fun! This song makes me wanna dance merrily around the house while shouting joyful exaltations. If you're like me, "Good Advices" will leave you wanting more. The good news is that more is coming, and pre-orders for the full album will open in June. If you literally can't wait, do yourself a favor and check out the band's existing discography on Bandcamp. You'll wonder where this band has been all your life! "Good Advices" is available now from all the major streaming platforms. Don't forget to wear a helmet!

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