LIPONA “Atlas”
Quietly, LIPONA has released what might just be the debut melodic punk/hardcore breakout album of the year. While I’ve been wasting time stewing over how RISE AGAINST has gone medium, and why there’s no new A WILHELM SCREAM full-length coming out any time soon (or not sooner than say, next week), I should have just been listening to Atlas, a supremely skilled 10 song knock-out release. LIPONA are a like a melodicore dream – wicked fast technical guitar playing that tangos well with gut-busting percussion, and a strong-voiced singer that has no trouble carrying a tune (think FACE TO FACE, PULLEY, MUCH THE SAME… you get the idea). Yamil Velez’s lead vocals instantly allow LIPONA to become memorable, and the gravity to his voice is only heightened by the numerous inflection-driven hooks that pop-up on Atlas like a game of Whac-A-Mole. Some of the album’s songs seem to run together (I didn’t notice the pause in action between “Success Stories” and “The Citadel”), but I would almost consider that an advantage when your music carries along at such a frenzied state of energy. Comparisons to A WILHELM SCREAM, STRUNG OUT, and OSKER (remember them?) are fair game, but LIPONA strike out on their own tenure, and with the musical confidence of a band that has being playing together for a long, long time. A must listen.
Self-Released
