Source: Album Artwork
It looks like 2017 is going to be the year of pop-punk revival. New, exciting music from UK pop-punk bands seems to be constant this year, and EP The Mould You Build Yourself Around by Surrey-based Homebound is another example of this.
Opener ‘Headspace’ is catchy and uplifting; obviously a necessity for any pop-punk song. But the band really show off their strengths here, with technical guitars, driving drums and several moments of melodic joy. There is a darker side to this song in the lyrics, and melancholy bounce, which adds a new dimension to the music. Since the band released this as a single and official video on YouTube in October last year, it has been viewed over 11,000 times, and this is why. It’s pop-punk, but not quite as we know it.
‘Pensive’ is more of the same. A typically pop-punk riff breaks into emotional, mature vocals, and there’s a sadness in this song, which is in the vocals, but more so by the guitars. They add more of an aggressive, hardcore sound to this song. When accompanied by the unmistakable pop-punk drum beat, and dark lyrics such as “Do you think about all the time you spend wishing this could end?” it does make a song which stands out from the crowd.
The third song on the EP, ‘Distrait’, is a textbook pop-punk song. The bouncy, regular beat has been heard by fans a thousand times by a thousand different bands; and yet, somehow, it never gets old. This song illustrates that, even though Homebound want to make their mark and stand out from the crowd, they know exactly how to keep pop-punk fans happy. As with the rest of the EP, this song is remarkably well-crafted, and has bittersweet undertones.
‘Sonder’ is a much more intense, dark song. Packed with gritty lyrics like “Wake up before you realise there’s nothing for you to live for” and some intricate guitar work, shows some real diversity. Sure, Homebound can do the upbeat, fun pop-punk beats that we’re all accustomed too; but they are more than that.
The closing song on the EP, ‘Broken Reverie’ airs more on the punk side of the genre, with a lot more weight given to strong vocals, and some heavy, more aggressive guitars and drum beats. There is a maturity to this song, and a mix of pop-punk and a heavier punk beat which wraps the EP off very nicely and, although ending with an awful, awful fade-out, wraps up a very promising EP from a very promising UK pop-punk band.
Homebound haven’t necessarily reinvented the wheel with The Mould You Build Yourself Around – but if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. Pop-punk is here to stay, and they look set to leave their mark with their fierce, brilliantly raw EP. It’s catchy as hell, with anthemic rhythms and some fairly brutal break-downs. The maturity in the music and lyrics of this EP show a real talent and understanding of the genre, and we can’t wait to see them grow in popularity, and maybe even become a household name.
