Millie Manders and the Shutup
Self-Released
Rocksound described Millie Manders and the Shutup as “Kate Nash if Kate Nash was actually any good.” Now, we’re not 100% sold on the Kate Nash slander, but Rocksound are spot on to compare Millie Manders to a female powerhouse with a penchant for savage-yet-emotive storytelling set to anthemic backdrop. Latest release Your Story is a deluge of anger, betrayal, and hurt, that avoids feeling one bit self-pitying – it’s all power.
The intro’s single guitar note is reminiscent of My Chemical Romance’s iconic I’m Not Okay – to suggest the songs are overly similar does Manders a disservice as she’s written an uplifting, irresistible singalong tune in her own right. However, fans whose minds do spring to INO will be well prepared for the viciously vulnerable, arena-sized confession that constitutes Your Story. Horn fanfares blow the song to super-sized proportions, pounding drums keep it grounded and soaring all at the same time.
By far the hugest factor of the song, though, is Manders’ voice. Bell-clear, full of life and totally unapologetic, it delivers every drop of emotion in Your Story with unending momentum. Rising almost to a scream at times, her high notes are a punch in the gut that’ll have you punching the air.
Your Story’s subject matter, anger after a collapsed relationship in which Manders was a rebound and wishing to still be on their social media stories, would nestle comfortably amongst pop-punk acts, as would their high-octane, ultra-inviting sound. They’re more punk than pop-punk for sure, but if they wanted to sidestep into the pop-punk scene, it would get a lot more exciting for sure.
If Your Story’s got you desperate for more (of course it has), you’ll only have to wait till October for MMATS’ debut album. If Your Story is the blueprint, it’s set to be a whirlwind of massive proportions, so get ready.
Telling Truths, Breaking Ties is out October 23rd.
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