ALBUM REVIEW: Halloween Mixtape – Magnolia Park

MAGNOLIA PARK are a collective that refuse to be put in a box. Known for their melding of genres, the Orlando-based six-piece are defined by a restless, ever-shifting sound. Fusing the likes of pop-punk, hip-hop and electronica with a dash of emo, Halloween Mixtape serves as a prime example of how diverse this band can be. Serving as their first release under Epitaph Records, it’s fair to say that this is a worthy debut – breaking down musical and social barriers along the way.

Despite being labelled a ‘Halloween’ mixtape, this isn’t a collection that sounds particularly dark. Instead, this is release is positively thriving with life. Stand-out track 2009 is perfect proof of this, filled to the brim with an irresistible pop-punk charm. The track almost feels like a sharper, heavier, Gen Z equivalent of BUSTED’s 2019 track Nineties – and it’s fabulous. Its joyful pessimism is anthemic, with a huge, memorable chorus and quick, rumbling drums that make for a winning combination.

MAGNOLIA PARK’s sound is gorgeously diverse and rich; despite being known as a pop-punk band, this doesn’t stop them from toying with all kinds of sounds. Tracks like Liar and Back On My Bullshit blend pop-punk drums with a sprinkling of hip-hop, incorporating trap beats and reflective rap for an overall sound which feels very MACHINE GUN KELLY. When Liar’s stupidly fun chorus of “’cause you’re a liar!” hits, it’s impossible not to find yourself bouncing along.

At times the mixtape even veers into a far more poppy feel, embracing acoustic guitars and bright soundscapes. Back Home embraces a gorgeously light, echoing soundscape that also shows the group’s softer side, and is such a treat. The End is also proof of this, easing you in with a combination of gentle vocals and acoustic guitar that feels almost ONE DIRECTION-esque, before allowing a crash of drums to draw the track back into the realm of pop-punk.

The pop-punk tracks do at times suffer from a few too many seemingly thoughtless lyricisms – perhaps most obvious when moving from 2009’s calls of “I wish I could die!”, straight into Tonight’s “I don’t fucking care! If I die tonight!”, only to then be followed by 10 For 10’s sigh of “just fucking kill me”. Rather than feeling considered, the words feel like easy sing-along bait, especially within the ravenous pop-punk of the songs they feature within; they feel more like an ‘I hate this town‘ cliché rather than an honest discussion of mental health. While it’s important to discuss these topics to remove the stigma, the impact is lost a bit in such repeatedly on-the-nose lyrics. When they work, they work – but sometimes less is more, especially when depression is so often trivialised in the modern age of the internet.

However, this does not take away from the themes tackled with care and grace. MAGNOLIA PARK speak from the heart, delving into darker themes of marginalisation and police brutality on tracks like Kids Like Us. This closing track is a true show-stopper – with a poignant vulnerability throughout, slowly growing in intensity as Joshua Roberts’ words become more pained and more frustrated. The entire track feels like a kick to the teeth, an echoing void of sound that is deeply affecting and leaves you feeling cold.

With a healthy mix of moshpit-worthy anthems and introspective bangers, Halloween Mixtape is the perfect taste of what MAGNOLIA PARK are capable of. Certain tracks feel absolutely ethereal, and are sure to be such a treat live. This is a well-rounded mixtape that’s sure to have something for anyone.

Rating: 7/10

Halloween Mixtape is out now via Epitaph Records.

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