Previously having steered clear of unveiling their full potential, with only a string of EPs to their name, to quench our thirst. This Year’s Winner Is... have allowed all under the proverbial spotlight with their debut full-length Audiobiography.
The collective Pop Punk scene within the UK has been more fervent than ever in recent years and this record is only a testament. Hailing from Onchan, Isle Of Man, This Year’s Winner Is... come out with artillery of a melodic charm that strikes at any doubtful preconception deeming the band as another mediocre Pop Punk band. However long the wait it was for the band to release a full-length, evidently it is shown how during this time the band have fleshed out all the unnecessary excesses and only to leave a defiant body of songs that being, Audiobiography.
From the get go a new ambience of maturity flows into your ears while listening to aptly named opener On With The Show as the crescendo forms into a surging wave of euphoric melody which glistens as it subsides, complimented by vocalist Elliot Kinrade reciting the lines from the ode of hope "Sometimes when I close my eyes, I see my name in lights". You can’t help but feel as though you’ve gained a second wind and it is this sentiment of hope in the face of adversity which fuels this record at the dazzling pace it travels.
There are moments on the record where it clearly shows (despite being a young band) some elements of song-crafting beyond their years, for example with Elements where vocalist Elliot Kinrade is propelled by harmonies behind a display of enchanting chord work and fret play that soars, embodying those monumental moments that at times you are at a difficulty in pinpointing why but are just great. These compensate for the occasional tame moments on Audiobiography such as Don’t Go Now and 05/11/09 where the intensity halts for a second.
However the instrumentation is commendable on the record swaying from incendiary riffs behind a support of breakdowns making every inch of your skull treble to a haunting display of keys in I’ve Got A Feeling We’re Not In Kansas Anymore where angst is compensated for an encapsulating melodies where vocalist Elliot Kinrade vocal acrobatic ability strays into astronomical falsetto’s throughout the song where he says "I call you my anchor but only my hope keeps me afloat".
Also aptly-named The End Of The Beginning stands as a high point on the record tying the threads of ambition and artistry all together in an abundance of melody. The gang vocals of "When we close our eyes we will dream of daylight, when skylines meet the night I’ll spend my life with you" are overwhelming last words from a band shining their radiant potential to the writing on the wall suggesting they are capable of even more.
Tracklist:
1. On With The Show
2. Let's Not Do That Again
3. Models & Mirrors
4. Don't Go Now
5. Elements
6. Better Altogether
7. Always Leaving... (Feat. Harry Radford)
8. 05.11.09
9. I've Got A Feeling We're Not In Kansas Anymore
10. Routes
11. The End Of The Beginning
Rating:
Written by Aaron Akeredolu
