EP REVIEW: Born On The Internet – The Tyne

For most of their lives, THE TYNE existed in a world where pop-punk was a definite underground concern, but the Gen-Z-led resurgence in popularity of a genre that soundtracked their childhoods inspired them to write their debut EP Born On The Internet. This explosive collection of pop-punk tracks balances the nostalgia that listeners crave from this genre with new influences and sees THE TYNE come into their own as a group that aren’t too afraid to do things their own way.

Opening track Move 2 LA sees a lot of the pop influences that were present when THE TYNE began making music. It speaks to their younger target audience with ideas of wanting to escape and move to LA, which is prominent in the ideas of ‘making it’ in the music industry that most of us are taught. It’s one of the more experimental tracks of the EP, with offbeat pianos to contrast with some of the heavier distorted guitars on other tracks like Demons. It seems an extremely bold move from THE TYNE to label themselves as pop-punk and declare they are moving away from pop music when pretty much all these tracks have very little rock influence aside from the odd distorted guitar lick or punchy snare drum.

Closing track Jessica takes clear influence from artists like YUNGBLUD and TWENTY ONE PILOTS, lyrically exploring some deeper topics than these artists, namely guilt and narcissism surrounding posting on social media – something that really relates to the EP’s title and overall themes. It’s a sharp contrast to the lyrics of more ‘traditional’ pop-punk and the title character is a hero rather than just an object of desire or frustration.

It’s extremely frustrating that this EP consists of just four songs, three of which have been previously released as singles. It’s a bold move, again, yet it’s one that doesn’t necessarily work in their favour in this case. It just seems like an easy move on their part, rather than fleshing out new material for a full release and giving their audience what they crave, instead of just the same songs they would have had on repeat for months.

Though THE TYNE list their influences as purveyors of the catchy choruses and hooks like MY CHEMICAL ROMANCE, JIMI HENDRIX and FOO FIGHTERS, it seems very bold of them to claim this when their music wouldn’t be out of place at all on a ONE DIRECTION album. It’s not that this is a bad thing at all, they just completely missed the mark with their labelling of themselves and seem to pander to more buzzwords with their list rather than the fanbase they should be aiming for and that would ultimately receive them a lot better.

THE TYNE claim that they don’t want to be ‘just another pop-punk band’ but, unfortunately, it seems that this is all they are right now.

Rating: 5/10

Born On The Internet is out now via Slam Dunk Records.

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