From starting out as a group of teenagers searching for like-minded people via YouTube, Meet Me @ The Altar now find themselves releasing their debut album to over half a million monthly listeners on Spotify.  Their flexitarian approach to a long distance relationship has worked out and, far from being jilted at the altar, their musical matrimony has blossomed.  This has resulted in them being catapulted from pokey Floridian bars in front of a handful of people, to sharing the stage with Neck Deep and Alexisonfire at Slamdunk festival last year.  So, what’s the fuss about?

The inter-state three-piece draw heavily on the early 00s radio rock scene - with Avril Lavigne, Paramore and P!nk cited as key touchstones.  Certainly, drafting in John Fields as producer to achieve this has worked, with their influences being worn on their sleeve...in neon.  This is pop-punk with the emphasis firmly on the pop.  Certainly, the confrontational opening track, ‘Say it (To My Face)’, wouldn't be out of place in Katy Perry's back catalogue.  Punkier elements do make an appearance - tracks like 'It's Over For Me' and 'King of Everything' have slightly more grit to them - but the production seems to strangle most of the life out of what are, admittedly, a very catchy set of songs. 

Stirring choruses like those in "T.M.I." help to steer the album away from drifting into a generic malaise, and the band provide a different voice to that usually seen in the scene - one that is currently struggling with an abundance of allegations against various band members' predatory behaviour towards fans. Lyrics are introspective; focussing on body image, relationships and personal growth - subjects that have clearly struck a chord or three with their expanding audience.

Despite a selection of songs that are as bright as vocalist Edith’s hair, and a desire to distance themselves from being pigeonholed as a nostalgia act, Meet Me @ The Altar haven't yet managed to produce something that truly distinguishes them from their forebears. However, if you are thirsty for a thirty minute hit of vibrant pop-punk renaissance, you can't go far wrong.