Pop punkers Martha have returned with their second album Blisters In The Pit Of My Heart, which is out now via Fortuna POP! (UK/EU) and Dirtnap Records (US). MJ from Leeds rockers Hookworms returns to produce the album, which explores the difficulties of staying political, staying passionate and staying punk. Hailing from the gloriously named village of Pity Me in Durham, the four-piece – comprising of J. Cairns (guitar), Daniel Ellis (guitar), Naomi Griffin (bass), and Nathan Stephens Griffin (drums) – were surely predestined to produce high octane, 100mph, angst propelled power pop (punk?)? Right? If not, then this band’s output is a massive coincidence.
All four members sing and write the songs and you can tell, just from listening to the 2.26 minutes of melodic, schizophrenic, and spasmodic pop on offer here with ‘Ice Cream and Sunscreen.’ Starting off slowly with the backing music initially running backwards: then the guitars and melodies combine to craft a beautiful laid-back song about summer love, regret, and watching the skin peeling off a loved one’s sun burnt shoulders. This alone would have been lovely enough but suddenly, and without warning, it explodes into a wondrous pop punk dirge with lovely harmonies and great vocal interplay between the band members. 100mph yes, but with romantic and playful lyrics. As one of the lead tracks off the brand new album, this is surely a good sign of the quality of the rest of the LP. Nice!
Hear more from Martha on their Bandcamp page.
Photo credit: Stephen Landles Photography
