When the drum machines goes into overdrive, and the heavy metal guitar whips up a buzzsaw-like noise, it can only be a Melt-Banana song. "Puzzle", to use one example from their new album, is utterly unlike anything else out there, and yet undisputably a Melt-Banana song. The pioneers are serving up a new one, 3+5 this week and it's a blast of energy.
Melt-Banana have been cranking out their own brand of noise-pop for more than three decades. Yasuko Onuki and Ichiro Agata as Melt-Banana here in 2024 lob volleys at listeners which are both abrasive and sort of cool. "Case D", another highlight from their new record, is like the sound of a video game being played at high speed. The number is agitated in its approach, suggestings a rush to obliterate the landscape in front of it. In that sense, Melt-Banana remain kind of punk in attitude. Elsewhere, "Seeds" has a tiny bit of nuance in it, but that's like to trying to hear someone playing a piano in the distance in the middle of a tornado. Melt-Banana's approach is total, and you either give in or don't. I am happy that they're still making music which absolutely no one else could, or would think of making. Dig it!
3+5 by Melt-Banana is out now via A-Zap Records. More details via the official site for Melt-Banana.