Bloated Kat Records – 4 June 2021
Half of an Album of the Year?
I tried tracing the band-family tree of the members of Cluttered, but it looked a bit (*looks up synonym for “cluttered”*) chaotic, jumbled, and messy. But members of the group have been in other bands such as but not limited to Jabber, Future Girls, Weekend Dads, and Designosaur. From what I gather, they formed to create a demo for Demo-Fest 2020, and things seemed to click so well that after releasing that self-titled demo as an EP, they're back at it again with Accidents.
Their second EP is a little more refined than the first, but still has the same urgency and modus operandi: short, straightforward bursts of defiant, anthemic punk-pop. Cluttered gets through these four songs in about ten minutes, and left me wanting to hear more.
The EP kicks off with “Burn All of It”, which sounds almost like a throwback to early 2000's pop punk (in the best way possible) – quick pounding drums, crunchy power chords, and even a line about not making your bed. Lead singer Matty Grace's lyrical cynicism shines when she shouts “I've never been one to stick to the plan / Existing's not real / I've done all I can“, and the band is incredibly tight throughout.
“Don't Hold Your Breath” has a darker, moodier, almost Alkaline Trio vibe, and might be the catchiest tune in Cluttered's catalogue thus far. At first, I thought the use of the word “gimme” ten times in the chorus might render it less impactful on repeat listens, but it holds up really well, showing the band at their most fed-up. It also closes with the band repeating the name of the song as if it was a warning, and was an impactful way to end it.
Moving from dark to light, “Look Through Me” and “The Toll” are brighter, poppier numbers that showcase what Cluttered do so well – happy sounding music with bummer lyrics about injustice and mental health. That they are able to get me to nod my head and sing along to the refrain “Trample on me” is really something.
Truth be told, if the first and second EPs had been released at once as an eight song album, it'd be on my short list for album of the year (I know, I know, it's still early – it's a running list). But after showing that lightning can strike twice, I think it's safe to say that Cluttered isn't a flash in the pan. I have a feeling that if I was to be able to see them open for Worriers and Teenage Halloween that it would probably be the best show I'd have been to in a long time, so please make that happen, universe.