Residing from the sunny side of the Gold Coast, Double Lined Minority are a band worth keeping on your pop punk radar, with musical influences from the likes of All Time Low, Blink-182 and Motion City Soundtrack.
With the release of their second EP, Caught In The Ceasefire, the band have shown their potential by maintaining a positive image in their music. Maturity goes a long way and by reflecting upon this in their music we’re shown the cohesive relationship the band already have captured. Truth be told, there’s always going to be some fun aspect when it comes to pop punk music but for these guys – they just want to let you know how they feel.
Listening to “Woe is Me” takes you down memory lane for its nostalgic and cheerful guitar introduction. The lyrics, “Losing my way and hoping I don’t finish last” offer emotive and universal ideas we can all relate to. It’s a powerful yet simple lyric with a chance to connect the hearts for those that feel like they don’t belong. The instrumental is melodic with the drum and lead guitar executing each note perfectly. Acquainting both pop punk and alternative genres, it’s almost as if this track could’ve been from Motion City Soundtrack’s My Dinosaur Life record; thriving on both the quirky and melodic mayhem in their instruments.
It’s hard to miss the fantastic union between the bass line and the guitar work in “Voodoo”. It’s powerful and punchy, making it extremely catchy for the listener. The chorus itself is very empowering in its words, expressing all sorts of emotional catastrophes with Eddie Salazar’s vocals releasing feelings of utter rage. The lead guitar electrifies throughout the song as it paves the way for an obvious break-up song. This song is a reflection of a relationship ending so terribly that you can’t see past the mistakes made. With lyrics, “What we have left / it rest in pieces, darling”, there’s no sugarcoating; making it a raw and intense statement.
Contrary to popular belief, nice guys do exist and if there were a song dedicated to them, it would be “Someday Soon”. It’s a romantic number, implying that the person you’re looking for is right beside you. The track is vibrant in its melodies and has the clear intention of sweeping someone off their feet. The lyrics, “Someday soon you will be mine / That one day you will realise” are heartfelt and honest. It’s a simplistic track that’s fun and edgy, proving that you can write a well-balanced love song.
Infectious in its sound, “Hanging” is distinctive of the band’s pop punk reputation. The drum and guitar work is fast-paced and up until the chorus, the music becomes loud and ecstatic. The sound in the second half of the track is perfectly accompanied by complex guitar notes, offering up an edgy vibe to the pop punk anthem while bringing emphasis to the electrifying atmosphere it creates. Experimentation is clearly on the cards for the band, highlighting their open-mindedness when it comes to creating music, and their image that defines them as musicians of the pop punk genre.
This EP feels like a coming-of-age story dedicated to all the misfits who need reminding that it’s okay to be different. With their passion for engaging with their listeners over their personal lyrics and adventurous guitar and drum work, it’s official that Double Lined Minority have successfully showcased who they are as a band. I’m definitely excited to see where they go from here.
Review Score: 8.5 out of 10.
Caught In The Ceasefire is in stores now.
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