Most of us know the weird, slightly rebellious nostalgia that seems to show up when you listen to the music you loved when we were in middle school. That’s exactly the feeling you’ll find in Stand Atlantic’s “Cigarette Kiss.” The Australian pop-punk trio released their debut album Skinny Dipping last Friday, Oct. 26.
The band has a sound reminiscent of Paramore in their early days — strong instrumentals with lyrics just begging to be yelled out at the top of your lungs. “Cigarette Kiss” may not be the best track on the album, but it is a representative midpoint when it comes to the group’s sound as a whole. Their lighter songs, such as “Toothpick,” carry ethereal tones all the way through, whereas ones such as “Speak Slow” start loud and fast and never slow down.
“Cigarette Kiss” is familiar and somewhat formulaic, but it follows a pattern that most pop songs have left behind. It begins lightly, with ethereal vocals and light acoustic sounds. That quickly gives way to the traditional sounds of pop-punk — a grittier sound, complete with heavy guitar, drums and edgy, introspective lyrics.
By tying their modern sound to the classic structure of pop-punk, Stand Atlantic creates a niche sound that appeals to nostalgia. The whole album seems to belong in a 2007 movie about the perils of teenage life. It’s the type of thing that reminds us all that sometimes it’s fun to just relax, sing along and feel like a kid again.
