You do have to feel for a band trying to make their breakthrough. When it comes to pop-punk and some of the big hitters such as New Found Glory are still going strong and the likes of All Time Low are continuing to bounce back from mid-career stumbles, it can be even harder to stand out. And that’s before you factor in the hundreds (if not thousands) of bands with overlapping styles and sounds. Maple Hill may be relative unknown in the grand scheme of things but their début album ‘Headspace’ is likely to move them closer to the spotlight.
That being said, ‘Headspace’ doesn’t get off to a truly spectacular start. ‘Never Enough’ is a solid and decent song but it sticks too closely to the pop-punk template, and if it wasn’t for the vocals of Kristian Wood-Gaiger then it would struggle to hold your attention. Thankfully, ‘A Night At Monmouth’ has more substance to get your teeth into, and a different, slightly more mature mood that suggests there’s a depth to Maple Hill that countless other bands fail to explore.
The contemplative and relatable lyrics of ‘Jack Blinked’ are married to the expected melodic guitar hooks, but the combination works brilliantly. it’s a method that All Time Low have absolutely nailed, and it’s a huge credit to Maple Hill to say that ‘Jack Blinked’ would sit perfectly among the tracks on ‘So Wrong It’s Right’ or ‘Nothing Personal’.
Maple Hill are currently in the running for a slot at the Syracuse, NY leg of this year’s Vans Warped Tour, and listening to ‘Headspace’ you get a real sense for how well the songs would go down live given how brilliant the majority of them sound on record. ‘Sometimes I Doubt Your Commitment To Sparkle Motion’ is a full on pop-punk banger, full of crisp guitars and bags of melody. The vocals are once again spot on, and the sing-along chorus and anthemic bridge make the song even more impressive.
‘From Cradle To Grave’ is also a strong contender for being the best song. Its intro sets the song up well, but really moves up a gear when the first proper verse kicks in. Upbeat and melodic, it features some of the best guitar work on the album as the lead of Max Gaeta weaves in around the vocals and drums. The duelling guitar solo at the end is a real highlight and another example of just how much talent Maple Hill have.
There are however a couple of times where Maple Hill take their eye off of the ball. ‘Space To Grow’ is energetic yet underdeveloped, and ‘Argyle’ is pop-punk-by-numbers album filler. The production may also be too slick for some, if a few rough edges had been left then it would convey the honesty and emotion better and maybe win over a few more fans in the process.
Whether it’s the five minute long mini rock-opera of ‘Streetlights’ or the powerful ‘All I Dream About’, ‘Headspace’ often showcases a surprising level of maturity amongst all the expected hallmarks of a pop-punk album. It may sometimes wear its influences on its sleeves a bit too openly, but it never loses its own sense of identity. It remains to be seen if Maple Hill will appear at Warped Tour this year, but whether they do or not, you can guarantee that one way or another ‘Headspace’ will help them find their way to bigger stages and more fans.
CHRIS HILSON