By Luke Fuller
The band Melancholy Club and its members are seasoned members of the Utah scene and are immensely special to me. As a budding musician living in Cedar City, I took a chance on a show where they opened. The other bands were great, but I remember being particularly struck by the vulnerability these guys radiated as I listened to them. They were the first CD I ever bought from a local band, and it was their enthusiasm that drew me up north from the school down south I dreamed of going to for so long. These scrappy Provo guys — currently Tanner, Rex, Noah and Zane — have such an electric energy whose performances, despite the heaviness of their subject matter, exude enjoyment and fun. It is because of the excitement Melancholy Club brought to me that I am so involved with the scene; their music is the reason I even find myself writing these reviews at all. So when I saw that they had released a new EP earlier this year, I couldn’t wait to get it playing in my headphones.
It is with great joy that I am able to say that they’ve clearly grown since the first time around, but their music is still just as raw and heartfelt. The band itself is ever-shifting; members have come and gone quite consistently since I began following them (which stands as a testament to the truth of the messages they convey- these themes resonate no matter who plays them). I really admire that they have stuck through so much change, as oftentimes bands fizzle and die when even one member leaves.
What will always remain is Tanner Padbury’s shaky tenor voice, something that you could easily pick out in a list of hundreds of tracks by similar bands. The way he sings is deeply unique and biting; he has a voice that will haunt you long after finishing this EP. The instrumentation is no different, and the two complement each other incredibly well. The complex guitar lines (often played by Tanner or Rex, though every member has their finger in this pie) seem to carry the tracks like a raft on a river, pulling it around smoothly, but with the wild shakiness that running water often has.
Sle-ep keeps to its name with five tracks that each feel like the pre-sleep semi-conscious thoughts that plague the anxious minds of many. Beginning with a track that sums this energy perfectly, “u up” explores the feelings of loss and regret that often cause these anxious breakdowns to present themselves in the first place. The question of whether you’re hurting yourself or your friends, if your decisions are worth it, and if you’ll be okay can make for some long, sleepless nights. This song kicks off the album perfectly and certainly lets you know what you’re in for.
The track that stands out and resonates with me the most is “triggers” with its heartbeat-like toms and more stripped back guitar section. It caught me off guard at first. The theme of growing up is common for these guys to sing about, but this track makes it feel like you’re staying young in a world that keeps growing around you, and you now have to navigate feeling left behind. Really powerful stuff.
It can be tough to listen to Melancholy Club at times — the stuff they put out very emotionally charged and doesn’t often include a ton of fluff tonally or sonically. They create a very to-the-point intensity that isn’t for everyone, but releasing with such a short format helps to ease that pain a bit. At only sixteen minutes, this EP would be a great way to get into their discography before diving backwards into the rest. It is exactly what the younger version of me from all those years ago would want in a new Melancholy Club release.
If you’re a Midwest emo fan, a fan of the local scene, or have a desire to get to know a band that may put to words some of the toughest feelings locked away deep in your chest, these guys would be at the top of my recommended list. Be sure to follow the band on Instagram and check out “triggers” below!