Cut Out The Middleman, Middleman’s debut EP is out, and they have arrived with all the nuance and subtlety of the German army blitzkrieg into Poland. Unlike that example, however, this attack on my senses and my eardrums was a welcome one.
The group met on the hardcore music scene in London several years ago and came together to form a band during the Pandemic. Noah Alves (vocals, guitar), Harper Maury (bass), and Lily Pym (drums) are a young group – Noah is 19, the other two are 21, but the trio is already making waves on the music scene. I am told by their management team that this EP is only a taster – we can expect many more good things from the group, and this is good news, as this EP is only a quick whirlwind of an introduction. Four tracks, including their single Entropy, and we are done. A hundred-mile-an-hour introduction to Middleman, leaving you wanting more. Although a punk rock band in origin, they have managed to float through a few different genres. Turn Away brings bands like The Darkness to mind, with its guitar smashing and some short, sharp, explosive lyrics. However, the youthful, fast-paced post-punk/pop attitude to this song brings a nostalgic undertone to it; the track could also be by an artist like Lil’ Chris (rest in peace).
Middleman cite Mission of Burma as an influence, and it is easy to hear how they have shaped their sound with them in mind. I would say Middleman has leaned heavier into the punk rock side of things than
MoB, which works well for them. They mix their post-punk aggression with melodic lyrics and a steady rhythm.
Noah Alves commented that the band’s focus was to try and bring the feeling of a live performance into the studio; and it works, the songs do have that manic, anything-could-happen feel to them.
Their single is called Entropy. The definition of ‘entropy’ is either:
- ‘A lack of order or predictability; a gradual decline into disorder’, or
- ‘A thermodynamic quantity representing the unavailability of a system’s
thermal energy for conversion into mechanical work, often interpreted…’ etc.
We can assume they were talking about the first definition, unless they are secretly a group of punk rock boffins. The song, like Train Man, starts loud and fast and pulls you into its mania, unlike Turn Away and One Day We Will Be Strangers, which both have a mellower start. It is obvious why Entropy was chosen as a single, as it is short, sharp, and encapsulates what Middleman is trying to represent. One Day We Will Be Strangers is the final track on the EP and definitely has the most pop feel to it. Personally, I preferred Entropy, or Train Man, out and out punk songs, but this could just be a matter of taste, as it is a very well put together song and quite catchy. It is certainly better for easy listening, think less mosh pit, more something to listen to while doing the gardening.
The EP was released on the 2nd of December, via Brainrotter Records on Bandcamp, as well as on streaming platforms. It was recorded at Fuzzbrain Studios by Ben Spence and Jonah Falco (of Fucked Up fame).
Like many bands who draw from punk rock themes, you can tell the band would be explosive live – the songs burst out of your headphones and want to be uncaged. Middleman are playing in London, at The George Tavern on the 12th December. Tickets available on DICE. See you there.
https://middlemanldn.bandcamp.com/album/cut-out-the-middleman
