A Punk Record for the Disenchanted

Poet and journalist Mark McConville reviews Miss Vincent’s album A Funeral For Youth

A thick darkness shrouds out the light and the whole world shudders in pain. Every sinew of grace has diminished, and all lasting hope screams out for closure. We all stare into the void these days, looking for answers to our questions, but receive only disjointed responses. In music we trust though, and punk rock doesn’t teeter on the line here, it actually blooms naturally, and Southampton band Miss Vincent, shudder like this world, not in pain, but in excitement for what’s coming. The act, do not fester like old fruit, as they have created an album dark in subject and one that tackles oblivion from the onset.

Miss Vincent has been patrolling the punk sector for what seems like a lifetime. A band which has burrowed bit by bit through the thickness of the underground, to near the summit of punk’s unconventional platform. It has been a ride through obstacle after obstacle, sweaty bars, and melancholic madness to get to where they are now. On the up, the band has designed their new album, A Funeral For Youth, which could be perceived as being extremely bleak. The name does point to the solemn side of the coin, and in retrospect, would maybe put people off. Although the title generates a melancholic vibe, the actual content, albeit drastic and morbid at moments, does fire up the mind and will inspire the poet in all of us.

Poetry has to be instilled in music like this. The kind of words which are not impeccable or polished, but are engaging and true. Truth oozes from this record, in fact, you can almost smell the whiskey drenched bar and the sweat from pores as these musicians try to fixate themselves on the prize of delivering adept art. A Funeral For Youth is a straight up punk album, marrying rhythmic notes and sheer energy, with enough sadness to entice the tears.

Miss Vincent’s lead singer Alex Marshall nods to the greatness of Alkaline Trio’s Matt Skiba, as his vocals seem so impressive and detailed. He sings like a man on edge at times, saluting Skiba like the punk hero that he ultimately is. Chicago punk royalty Alkaline Trio has been a colossal influence to the creation of Miss Vincent. They probably wouldn’t be a band if the trio weren’t strutting their stuff on the hallowed stages.

Every piece of A Funeral For Youth has been plotted expertly and driven like a hammer to a nail. All songs meld gloriously well, and they’re all lean without the added notion of the spectacular. And this is not an album for the pop faithful or the jubilant person, it’s for the disenchanted travelers mourning deeply in the grey mornings.

The record fundamentally hits all boxes. For the dreamers and darers, it works flawlessly. A thorough listen will profoundly tunnel deep into your heart and soul. This may sound audacious, but the record soars and soars until it nearly rises like a phoenix from the ashes. And at moments, the sound crashes into an atmospheric punk sequence, delivering intensity.

Gravity starts the album off. A song shifting between soft vocals and high intense riffs. Marshall sings about losing his identity and the lyrics confirm the band is on the warpath. ‘’The weight of all eternity has taken my identity, And this gravity is keeping me down’’ and this track is a perfect opening to a dark, progressive opus. Rosaline drags out the dark themes and is executed seamlessly, a track describing the loss of love and churning regrets. Marshall sings -

‘’Remember and never regret
A life long since lost and a fear that locked up your head, The same day that you realised that nothing is fair, And you didn’t even want to, But we spend all of our time these days wanting to disappear
I know it’s a problem but I’ve been like this for years
I tried to make a change but fell apart
And now I’m scared of what lies ahead’’

These lyrics highlight dread and the unknown. And the band dazzle here lyrically, but their minds are far from being spotless and free. The instrumental muscle showcases diversity here, too. Carried Away conveys a life full of toxicity and the strain of damage. Marshall belts out about his father and the downsides, the hardships he has faced. His lyrical prowess breaks ground. The acoustic vibe augments the sound brilliantly. It’s a sad song, weaved through pain. Melanie fundamentally strikes home a story detailing love, purity, and sadness -

‘’ You were always loving, kind, and pure
Only wanted love and nothing more
But the earthquake took your father, and he took it out on you, it’s a tragedy that death cannot undo’’

The track impresses with its passionate chorus and hooks. It draws out the pessimism somewhat too, but this album does not kneel down to positivity, it carries a certain streak. It is bold, it shocks and provokes responses and that’s what Miss Vincent desire. Heresy goes through trials and tribulations. A track that does not break the mould, but certifies longing –

‘’We suffer from desire
We slave and then expire
We long for answers that we'll never get
And we ain't seen nothing yet’’

Marshall vocalises the state of his own world. And the bitter taste of not receiving answers to his questions.

Miss Vincent carries the punk flag with a swagger. Yes, A Funeral For Youth cites many sad lines, and it isn’t for everyone. But, throughout the record, there are moments when every sound and poetic crackle makes for an honest listen.

Mark McConville is a freelance music journalist who has written for many online and print publications. His poetry chapbook Lyrics From The Chamber is out now.