Paul and The Meanie - The Yellow Bedroom Demos

Paul and The Meanie - The Yellow Bedroom Demos

If ever a more appropriate name was used in the making of a record, I don’t know what it is. Paul and The Meanie, a three-piece indie outfit from Armagh (Side question: Why does three seem to be the magic number for indie bands? Is it a satanic thing? Moving on.), have put out their debut EP. The Yellow Bedroom Demos, named for the space in which they were birthed (Like how everyone named Colin was conceived in Colin Glen Forest Park.), is a generous mix of energetic indie rock with a healthy stake in a fun-loving funk. 

Combing poor men's versions of Kook-esque guitar arrangements and the jarring vocal practices made popular by early Arctic Monkeys, the uncomplicated attitude towards these demos is as endearing as it is enjoyable. This is low slung jeans, liberated indie rock, the type of songs built for sunshine and cider. At least, on the surface. It was on my third listen that I truly began to appreciate the vulnerable side of Paul… which bleeds through the lyrics. “I’m trying, I’m trying, I’m trying to help…” they sing on second song Bingo’d. The welcome juxtaposition unlocks new levels of depth for those looking for music with a bit more meat on the bones.

Noticeable gripes are as follows: I found it a little bit repetitive, and occasional pitfalls into lyrical tropes (such as comparing a potential love interest to a work of art in third tune ART) left me picking my teeth. Nevertheless, this is music for people who are as interested in gratification as they are in clarity. The colourful use of metaphors, particularly in an EP so vocally driven as this one, is a welcome addition. At no point does this EP feel overpowering, even when the machine gun vocal delivery reaches maximum tempo. Instead, it remains impressive, attainable and easy to have fun with. 

I can only imagine what the red room tapes will sound like.


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