Fresh - ‘Merch Girl’ review
Fresh
London/Bristol’s premier purveyors of indie-tinged Pop-punk Fresh are set to drop their brilliant new EP, Merch Girl, tomorrow via Specialist Subject Records. The three-track EP showcases the four-piece in prime form, with each track highlighting why the band has maintained their status as a steadfast fixture of the UK punk scene since their debut release in 2017. This EP adds another banging release to the band's repertoire, reaffirming their consistent quality and knack for delivering releases that never seem to miss.
Kicking off the EP is the title track and pre-release single, "Merch Girl," a blistering two-and-a-halfish-minute burst of Pop-punk perfection delving into the gap between desire and accomplishment. The track, with its slightly tongue-in-cheek lyrics, showcases vocalist Kathryn Woods embodying the role of the titular 'Merch Girl,' observing from the sidelines with the knowledge that she could surpass the band on stage, fueling her determination to forge her own artistic path.
Both lyrically and musically, it's the kind of song that resonates deeply with me; I've featured it on our last four radio shows and foresee it remaining a staple for the foreseeable future. In fact, I've already marked it for inclusion in my upcoming "best of the year" showcase. It's a brilliant track and serves as the perfect start to this brilliant EP.
With its acoustic instrumentation, introspective-to-the-point-of-neurotic lyrics, and call-and-response vocals, the second track "Easy" is reminiscent of something that could have been released on another Bristol-based label, the legendary and much-missed Sarah Records. Despite its brevity of just over a minute, it's packed with depth as Woods delves into their own psyche, discussing the defences they've erected over the years, which now paradoxically seem to hinder rather than aid their path forward.
Concluding the EP is yet another acoustic gem, this time a rendition of Linda Ronstadt's 1970 hit, "Long Long Time." It's a poignant cover of a song that gained renewed recognition after its inclusion in the television adaptation of ‘The Last Of Us.’ Woods's vocals brim with raw emotion, seamlessly making the song's reflections on post-breakup aftermath and enduring sentiments of love and loss her own.
If you manage to keep dry eyes until the song's final notes, you're undoubtedly made of sterner stuff than I. This heart-wrenchingly beautiful rendition perfectly encapsulates the essence of the original, resonating deeply with anyone carrying wounds that may never fully heal. Serving as a fitting conclusion to yet another stellar release from Fresh, this cover acts as a poignant coda.
The Merch Girl EP stands as another brilliant addition to Fresh's already impressive catalogue of releases. The title track, in particular, shines as one of the standout tracks of the year, poised to grace numerous best-of-the-year lists come December. This EP hints at even greater things on the horizon for the four-piece, marking the beginning of an exciting chapter for the band. Their upcoming months will see them embark on a series of solo shows across the Atlantic, alongside the honour of opening for the legendary Los Campesinos! on the entire West Coast leg of their US tour. Personally, I'm eagerly anticipating the opportunity to catch the band's performance at the "Warm Up Show" for next month's Dead Punk Special in Bristol
Merch Girl from Fresh is out 19 April via Specialist Subject Records is and available on all good streaming platforms. Catch them at the “Warm Up Show” for next month’s Dead Punk Special in Bristol and tour across the US for a mix of solo shows and opening slots for Los Campesions!
