ALBUM REVIEW: Take Your Time, I’ll Be Waiting – Values Here

A long time in the making, VALUES HERE are on the cusp of releasing their debut album Take Your Time, I’ll Be Waiting to the world. Initially formed by Barcelona-based vocalist Chui and legendary SHELTER/YOUTH OF TODAY/JUDGE guitarist John Porcelly, the duo met years ago and jokingly discussed starting a band – but nothing came of it until the lockdowns when Porcelly sent Chui music and she sent back what became their debut single, Will Be Tomorrow, and the rest is (very recent) history.

Taking the feel-good, positivity of pop and the energy of punk, VALUES HERE are a throwback to the halcyon days of early pop and skate punk with a pinch of melodic hardcore for good measure. As with many debut albums, the influences are certainly worn on their sleeve but, most importantly, the band show their clear conviction and dedication to the genre with a collection of anthemic, skate punk meets pop songs that’s sweet without being cloying, has a touch of edge, and most importantly, is a lot of fun. 

Will Be Tomorrow, their debut single, kicks off the album with a two-minute burst of joy sounding for all the world like it belongs on Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater. That’s no bad thing; the jolt of nostalgia is buoyed by the strength of its hooks and Chui’s vocals. There’s a classic woah-oh to close it out, before Bring Me The PMA is a bone-rattling love letter to THE OFFSPRING’s early days. Feeling Down bucks the sub-three-minute trend (albeit barely) for another round of woah-oh hooks, but doesn’t quite hit the same level of memorability or enjoyment. 

Second single Do You Know Why feels like it should’ve soundtracked 90s movies with its jangly guitars, the kind of coming-of-age comedies that made sure to include as many feel-good moments as they could, and the track is no different with its outsized, earworm chorus. We Get Stronger is in the exact same vein; the moment where the protagonist realises they’re cool after all and that the bullies can go fuck themselves. Earthlings goes straight back to those early THE OFFSPRING days with its Smash-era worship but again manages the tough task of not sounding dated or like a rip off. 

That’s a common theme of Take Your Time, I’ll Be Waiting. This is unashamed throwback pop-punk, taking cues from skate punk, melodic hardcore and wearing its influences proudly. The point is clearly to make music and have fun; at no point do VALUES HERE feel like they’re forcing it, rather that they’re simply doing what comes naturally to them as a band. With so many clear sonic reference points, it does mean Take Your Time, I’ll Be Waiting isn’t particularly original, but at no point does this detract from the music. Instead, it’s simply an enjoyable, summery listen that shows a band that just wants to have a good time, and write some good tunes. 

Rating: 7/10

Take Your Time, I’ll Be Waiting is set for release on September 22nd via End Hits Records.

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