Ep Review: Mental Gymnast “Mental Gymnast”
Punk is
supposed to be rebellious, wild and raw and Mental Gymnast clearly understands
the assignment. Their second self-titled EP is a short, sharp burst of energy
that wastes absolutely no time. Five tracks, each staying under the 1:40 mark,
make this a release built around the punk philosophy of saying what you need to
say before the world has time to interrupt.
Mental
Gymnast formed through conversations, group chats and recordings made in
different places, with the remarkable twist that the full band has never
actually been in the same room. Yet listening to this EP, you would hardly
notice. There is an urgency and cohesion here that makes the distance between
the members irrelevant.
“Romance Novels” opens the EP with a heavy riff and buzzing synth, immediately establishing the band's unusual blend of punk and keyboard-driven textures. Then comes Adam Gecking's distinctive vocal approach: more spoken and forceful than traditionally melodic, with gang vocals adding extra punch during the chorus. The keyboards lurking underneath give the track an additional dimension without taking away its punk attitude.
“I Want to
Believe” follows naturally, maintaining the same restless energy while keeping
the songwriting compact and direct. There is no unnecessary padding her; every
second serves a purpose.
Then comes “Stay Warm”, and this is where the EP really kicks into another gear. Faster, more aggressive and carrying an almost confrontational energy, it feels like the moment when the band's rebellious spirit breaks completely loose. For me, this is the standout track of the EP ; the kind of song that immediately makes you want to bang your head.
“The Lowest
Bar” begins with a riff that practically sounds like an invitation to head
straight to the nearest bar, before launching into another frantic punk attack.
Finally, “IN4U” closes the EP in equally energetic fashion, leaving the
listener wanting more.
Mental
Gymnast may joke about being “tragically bad at naming things,” but there is
nothing tragic about the music. The riffs, synths, drums, vocals and production
all work together to deliver exactly what punk should: attitude, speed, honesty
and raw energy.
A short EP,
perhaps , but definitely a loud one.
Well played, guys.
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