EP REVIEW: The Beginning of New Endings – Madina Lake
Alt rock and emo quartet MADINA LAKE were last seen (scene) in 2011, when they dropped their third full length record and completed an ambitious trilogy of concept records. Their place in the pop-punk, emo, and post hardcore scene of the late 2000’s into the early 2010’s cannot be understated, their debut record in particular, From Them, Through Us, to You, sparked some big hits that were on most every alternative teenager’s iPod Shuffle playlist. But since 2011, the entire musical landscape has tectonically shifted, and the new world of streaming look a lot different now than it did a decade ago. But MADINA LAKE’s new EP, The Beginning of New Endings, is a vibrant return for a band who have worked hard and endured hardship to work their way back to an era that is rediscovering the community and nostalgia of the emo era.
Playing With Fire immediately showcases the EP’s slick production, and every instrument is crystal clear. Right after this it becomes abundantly clear that no one has lost a step in terms of playing ability, especially vocalist Nathan Leone. His voice is an instantly time warp back to 2008 in a way that feels welcome and instantly recognisable. This track is also much heavier than past work, which feels like a nice evolution while still holding on to that classic emo sound. It straddles the line well, as is the case for most of these tracks.
Love Is War is an absolute standout. Hooky as hell and with a great pop punk energy, this track is instantly transportative and a must listen for any fan of that classic scene era. It feels like a breath of fresh air and is pure fun; a return to a time when the world felt simpler. It’s always worth hearing when a song can recapture the zeitgeist of a musical era. Silver Lines does the same, with really great hooks once again, showing the band has no problem picking up from where they left off. The energy is high and its obvious the band had a lot of fun recording these tracks.
Heart of Gold kicks the pace up a notch and plays with some really great harmony work. It feels like it would fit perfectly in the soundtrack of a Tony Hawk game of yore or a soundtrack to an early 2000’s teen movie, but in the best way. The vocals do get a bit wonky in their pacing during the breakdown, but the youthful energy carries this one well. But it’s Tiny Weapons that gets the prize for the most experimental, and most daring of the EP. This feels like a first for MADINA LAKE. With an almost nine minute runtime, the band skirts through electronic textures into a track that begins almost Britpop like before breaking down into an unexpectedly heavy middle and ending on a spacy vibe. Despite this, it feels like the most raw of all the tracks, as well as the most honest, which wins it points. However, not all of it works, as the lyrics and melody don’t stick too much and end up being a bit repetitive by the end. But it’s great to hear experimentation and a one note, phoned in sound from this band.
If any listener at all appreciated the classic scene era, but wants production firmly rooted in the now, this EP is absolutely worth a listen. With emo nights raging across the county and big acts like MY CHEMICAL ROMANCE selling out stadiums, it’s the perfect time for MADINA LAKE to come back with a sound both instantly recognisable and verifiably valuable in a musical landscape so changed by time.
Rating: 7/10
The Beginning Of New Endings is set for release on September 4th via self-release.
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