ALBUM REVIEW: What A Life – The Meffs
Colchester punk duo THE MEFFS have made huge waves within the British punk scene over the last few years. Each year they seemingly go from strength to strength in their delivery of rousing pure punk rock songs. Last year saw them release two EPs (Broken Britain Parts 1 and 2) which took aim at Britain and the current state it is in. This time they’re back with their excellent debut album What A Life, and in a time of more uncertainty, it’s the perfect record to help us through the mire that is Great Britain.
Launching into the fray at 100mph is opener Stamp It Out. The boisterous song is driven by a great riff that packs one hell of a punch. It’ll be impossible to keep still whilst listening to this song in particular. Taking aim at greedy governments that take for themselves and give very little back, it’s a great track that vents the frustrations of many with grander hopes for the future by simply being able to start everything again. Not wasting any time, second track Deathwish is a great moshpit-inducing song that will have you wanting to rise up against those who sit behind screens causing harm without repercussions and calling them out on what sad little lives they lead. Only Human keeps up the riotous vibe of the record with a headbanging anthem.
Next track Take Control shows that What A Life has no intentions of slowing down at all. The energy that is on display is infectious and it highlights what is so enjoyable about the duo of Lily and Lewis wearing their hearts on their sleeves. Everything’s Broke is one of the best songs on the album – after hearing this as a single, it almost confirmed that this album was going to be great. It’s short, punchy and gets to the point and will have you screaming along to the lyrics in no time. Do Bad, Don’t Look opts for more of a grungey sound, with a sumptuous chugging riff that is made for a live setting. It’s one of many songs on this record that’s going to be great to experience live.
Another stand out track is Clowns. It contains quality heavy riffs that add a fantastic bounce, thunderous drums and wonderfully sarcastic lyrics that target the 1% who assume because they’re comfortable that everything is fine. Once again THE MEFFS are able to capture the feelings of listeners and finely brush them across the canvas that is What A Life. Life’s Life is another barnstorming moshing song that precedes one of this album’s finest tracks F R S F. A scintillating track that looks at the ever-rising issue of the far-right and how they’re susceptible to dangerous misinformation, it serves as a great example of frontwoman Lily Hopkins’ songwriting as the lyrics are funny yet meaningful. It’s able to set the record straight far easier than any major news outlet.
Following this is We Tried, which is a slow yet effective track with a huge sounding guitar that echoes that of the excellent Brain Stew by fellow punk rockers GREEN DAY. Penultimate track Think Big once again demonstrates the wonderful tongue in cheek nature of THE MEFFS. A short but sweet anthem that features British punk legend and this album’s producer Frank Turner in a fun little cameo mocking ads advertising mediocrity within the music industry which mutes creativity and makes people settle for suppressing talent. Saving the best to last, closer What is a dark, brooding track that sees the pair deliver their finest work to date. It sounds enormous and feels like it gets louder much like the problems the world faces that it lists off throughout as it challenges the listener to think about what they have done to help change things for the better. It packs a punch musically and emotionally brings What A Life to an incredibly satisfying close.
Whilst Broken Britain Parts 1 and 2 were excellent, What A Life builds upon those foundations to deliver one hell of a debut. Lily and Lewis exceed all expectations, creating one of the finest punk records in quite a while. Their performances throughout are terrific, Lily’s vocals are one of the standout aspects of the record itself, opting to have a harsher tone in her delivery that makes you feel the frustrations the band are venting through their lyrics. Musically, the duo do not put a foot wrong. It’s their best sounding work to date and even though it does have a more polished sound to it, the rough around the edges DIY aspect of their music remains. It’s going to be one hell of a future for THE MEFFS; if this album is anything to go by, each release should go down an absolute treat, and the thought of seeing these songs performed live is a mouth watering prospect. Up THE MEFFS!
Rating: 9/10
What A Life is out now via Bottles To The Ground/Fat Wreck Chords.
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