Melee
Melee makes its intentions clear through speed, loud guitars and a voice that rarely holds anything back. Dogleg play emotional punk with the precision of a band who know how the parts should fit together, even when the whole thing sounds close to falling apart. The energy is the main attraction, but there are strong melodies and some thoughtful arrangements underneath it.
Kawasaki Backflip gives the album an immediate start. The guitar lines, bass and fast drums move tightly together, with Alex Stoitsiadis' shouting making the song feel even more urgent. The playing is forceful without becoming careless. Dogleg establish a sound that can be rough at the edges while remaining clear about where the rhythm needs to go.
Fox and Wartortle turn that force into particularly memorable songs. Both give Stoitsiadis' voice a strong melodic setting, while the additional shouts make Fox feel larger without changing its basic character. The hooks are important because the album spends so much time at a similar level of intensity. These songs provide clear points of focus inside the rush.
The rhythm section does more than keep up. The bass gives songs such as Bueno and Headfirst a firm foundation, allowing the drums to become more active around the guitars. That balance helps the record stay engaging when its raw materials are familiar. The musicians sound closely connected, with the playing giving the music much of its personality.
There are limits to the constant pressure. Some songs use similar vocal endings, and the repeated layered chants lose impact over the course of the album. Hotlines can also sound crowded, with too many ideas competing at once. More contrast would help the strongest hooks stand apart from the surrounding noise.
Ender suggests how that contrast can work. Its louder opening gives way to a quieter verse, then grows through further changes before a string-led ending. The closing arrangement adds a different emotional colour without abandoning the band's intensity. Melee is an exciting debut with a narrow focus, held together by strong playing and a convincing sense of commitment. Its best moments make that focus feel like a strength rather than a restriction.
