Previously associated with pop-punk, the trio turn their sights to another much maligned genre, treating it with a curiosity that creates pure magic
Meet Me @ The Altar has been in the works for so long that it’s hard to believe they’re only now releasing their debut full length. Since breaking through with the single ‘Garden’ in 2020, he has been hailed as a savior of pop-punk by the press, fans and fellow bands. The NME named him in the NME 100 to watch for 2021; That year, he signed with emo giants By the Ramen and released an EP, ‘Model Citizen’. Suffice it to say that this album, ‘Past/Present/Future’ didn’t come without pressure.
And yet what the band delivers here is different from what you might expect based on their journey so far. The album is less about pop-punk, the genre tag with which they have become synonymous, and more about exploring pop-rock’s poppiest heights. It is produced by John Fields, who worked with the Disney-era Jonas Brothers, Miley Cyrus and Demi Lovato, and the band cites artists as influences, based around the era’s teen-pop. Like with Avril Lavigne and P!nk.
It is a genre of music that is often mocked and maligned, but Meet Me @ The Altar treats it with reverence and curiosity. They use their energy and buoyancy to lend perfect backing to the hate-challenging ‘Say It (To My Face)’; Its swagger and snot to fuel the breakup anthem ‘Same Language’, and its passion and emotion to portray the Taylor Swift-esque romantic ballad ‘A Few Tomorrows’. There’s a selflessness unique to that era of music, which when paired with MM@TA’s confidence and creative conviction becomes unstoppable.
Guitarist Téa Campbell and drummer Ada Juárez are imaginative and cut through their instruments – listen to how they create the first 30 seconds of ‘(Say It) To My Face’ – and singer Edith Victoria is a huge, undeniable talent. Her power and chops are enough on their own (she originally auditioned for the band with a cover of Paramore’s ‘All I Wanted,’ a performance that took Hayley Williams herself a decade to attempt to perform live). took his time), while his presence and attitude elevated him to rival some of the best in the genre. Album highlight ‘Cool’ shows him at his absolute best – delightfully cocky in the verses, then belting out a breathtaking riff for the chorus.
When they announced the album in January, the band shared an Instagram post that explained the thinking behind its title – paying homage to the music they love while forging its place in the future of rock. It takes a lot of confidence for a young band to start thinking about their career, but it pays off on this start. It’s going to last.
Details
- Label: Fueled By Ramen
- Release date: March 10, 2023
