Bridge The BorderCongratulations, Everybody’s Gone

Ah yes, a nice little injection of bright punk-pop on a cold winter’s morning is just what you need to get out of bed, and Bridge The Border deliver just that.

In their EP Congratulations, Everybody’s Gone, the Melbourne foursome hone a collection of tracks that are as large in feeling as they are melancholic in meaning–so don’t be fooled by the overriding brightness here, there’s an underlying darkness to this release.

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The largely instrumental tail end of Places, beautifully executed, reinforces the hope amidst an otherwise weirdness in this not-so-typical love song. Single Congratulations is an unabashed tale of addiction and offers a scrutinising eye into the dire consequences of drugs, coated in an equal balance of rabid rhythms and cutting vocals.

coated in an equal balance of rabid rhythms and cutting vocals.

Bridge The Border tag team with vocal duties which gives a great depth and texture to their sound–it’s not a technique that would work for many bands, but these boys pull it off well, particularly when they come together as a uniform chorus.

Given their relative youth it’s impressive how dexterous these boys are with their instruments and song writing–but their voices don’t seem quite so strong yet. Another year or two and they will definitely have the tones to match the music. Bridge The Border have nothing if not character and a raw awareness of real-life situations that are very well translated into their music.

STANDOUT TRACKS: Places, Congratulations, Spears
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