Once you’ve kind of heard one band in the ‘pop-punk’ genre, you’ve basically heard them all; you know – shouty vocals backed by bouncy music to shove other people to in mosh pits. I usually stay away from that sort of stuff. Maybe, I just need to delve farther into that sort of sound, stop generalising and stop writing a band off at the first shaky, scratchy kind of voice that shouts at me through the speaker. Maybe, Head North with ‘Scrapbook Minds’ EP will be the band and EP to do that for me. Apparently they are “sad kids making angry music about shit we don’t care about.” Cool.
‘Scrapbook Minds’ is introduced by ‘Doubt & Deadlines.’ And what an introduction. ‘Doubts & Deadlines’ contains some brilliant lyrics, paired with gritty, passionate and angsty vocals. It makes a change to the few bands I’ve listened to like this, who obviously just shout because they can’t sing. Anyway, I think “I don’t have a thing to prove to someone who hides behind twitter alone in their room” has become my favourite lyric of all time.
Next up is ‘Endeavors’ and is another belter. I find this one a little catchier than the opener. The opening riff and quick drum beat, draw you in before punching you in the face with Brent Martone, the new vocalist. Unfortunately, there is no shade thrown at Twitter users in the lyrics in this one, but again, proving that Head North are exceedingly good at writing. ‘Tremors’ is also another great track to get you mentally shoving people in a pit and fist pumping the air.
‘Scrapbook Minds’ slows down with the acoustic ‘Brooklyn’s Burning.’ Anyone who knows me I can’t hit the skip button quick enough on slow, acoustic numbers, but something draws me into this track. It might be because at the chorus, and you may want to shoot me for saying it, but he sounds like The X Factor’s Luke Friend. No bad thing in my opinion. ‘Brooklyn’s Burning’ showcases Martone’s vocals beautifully; showing the difference between gritty and softer vocals.
‘Jake’s Apartment’ closes the EP. Another slow one. Ish. The verses have a slow build-up to a chorus packed with punch and ‘oh’s,’ that I, and anyone else with common sense, will most definitely be singing (shouting?) with gusto, should they ever tour the UK. It’s one of the EP’s bigger songs, and works brilliantly as a closing track.
‘Scrapbook Minds’ is a delicious slice of the pop-punk pie that I definitely want to feast more on. Head North are a band I will definitely be keeping a close eye on.
Chloe Chaplin