ALBUM REVIEW: Here – Mammoth Penguins

Indie-pop trio MAMMOTH PENGUINS‘ fourth album Here is wildly different from its 2019 predecessor There’s No Fight We Both Can’t Win. Leaning more into pop-punk, it’s an album that could have only been made by the band themselves, who were crestfallen when the pandemic shut down their touring plans. As things returned to normal in 2021, they set out to record their new album by making the songs written in lockdown come alive, but family commitments and responsibilities meant that the timeline was stretched out, causing the album not to be completed until April 2023. But good things come to those who wait.

Opening song Species showcases the talent of vocalist Emma Kupa as her voice hypnotises the listener. The song is unique as there are breaks in between the vocals and the bass, which is played by Mark Boxall, and the drums, which are played by Tom Barden. The rest of the album sticks to standard pop-punk. There is the happy-go-lucky I Know The Signs, the moody Flyers, and the slow-paced Blue Plaque. There are also some leanings into indie-pop, such as Everything I Write, while the title track is a sombre acoustic song that slows the pacing of the album down quite a lot.

In fact, whilst all the songs are different, the sound of the album is not affected. Each song is long enough to make an impact on the listener. Unfortunately, the pacing of the album is a bit of a mess. Some songs, like the aforementioned title track, are very slow, but then it is followed by the upbeat Nothing And Everything, which induces quite a sense of whiplash. This is only increased with the subsequent arrival of Help Yourself, which starts off slow before becoming a fast-paced song. Although the lyrics are uplifting and inspirational, the pacing shift is a bit strange.

Yet throughout this oddly-paced album, the band sound on top of their game. The short song Lost Friends is a catchy, quirky track that showcases them at their very best. The pacing is cohesive and the lyrics are sad as they talk about a beloved friend who has passed away. Meanwhile, closer A Plea For Kindness is a slow-paced track that has an extended guitar solo, along with an ending that gathers speed before exploding into a riotous climax in which the band give their all.

Overall, the wait will have been worth it for fans of MAMMOTH PENGUINS. The album showcases the best of the band’s talents, and the various forays into different genres work because they give them enough time to make an impact. The pacing of the album may bring things down a bit, but if you’re looking for a band who put their own mark on music then Here is the album for you.

Rating: 7/10

Here is out now via Fika Recordings.

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