Considering how quickly Mallory Knox released their first two albums, ‘Wired’ has been a pretty long time coming. With You Me At Six and Deaf Havana also putting out new records at the start of 2017, is there really room for another Radio One friendly, UK rock band in the charts? Maybe this is the year the crowd-pleasing, probably one of your mates’ bands, get back on top.
‘Giving It Up’ starts with Mikey’s vocals tightly grasping at long high notes. Recognisably his, strong and raspy, they lend themselves well to the driving opener. It’s not quite as catchy as their previous efforts, but ‘California’ steps in to help, with quieter moments dividing the upbeat verses, before an undeniably catchy chorus. While it sounds uncannily like Good Charlotte, the emotive repetition of “I remember” leads into a group vocal closer and the track is reminiscent of early noughties pop punk: think upbeat anthems instead of self-deprecating singalongs.
There are incidents when the high-pitched vocals get irritating (the title track is a prime example) and there’s a danger that some of the less memorable songs will disappear from playlists, replaced by the more obvious hits. ‘For You’ will be lapped up by fans, but lyrics like “I know it’s hard to love me and it leaves you feeling lonely” are problematic. People too often write songs about being bad partners that end in sympathy for the wrong party, and it’s needy, not romantic. Maybe best to ignore that one.
Simple, riff heavy songs are what Mallory Knox do best and ‘Better Off Without You’ is a prime example. Dominant guitars take over the dreamy melody and it’s an obvious single choice. Those Good Charlotte sounds are still there, however, and you’d be pressed to pick between the two if tested. In contrast, ‘Falling In Love’ is quieter and moodier at first, not dissimilar to Brand New’s ‘Okay I Believe You, But My Tommy Gun Don’t’, developing into a more complex, desperate end. The lyrics continue to focus on the complications of love – a common theme throughout the album.
Closer ‘Mother’ is far more heartfelt than the songs about romantic relationships. As the band sings messages to their parents together, it carries far more meaning than questionable love songs that are ten a penny. Given the recipients, Mallory Knox have put clear effort into the song itself, and ‘Wired’ ends with an elevated, uplifting sound that their families are bound to be proud of.
KATHRYN BLACK