Seventeen years ago, a pop-punk seed was planted, perhaps unintentionally, by the insistence of one very cool Grandma Smiley. Fast forward to today, and that seed has blossomed into Smile 602, an animated band poised to unleash a new wave of 90s nostalgia. Having cut their teeth on a searing string of releases, the band have now shared their debut album, ‘We Have An Alien Problem!’, setting the foundation for a stellar pop-punk reunion.
Built from the insistence of Grandma Smiley, three cousins – Max, Mallory (aka Maul), and Victor – with G'ma on keys, Smile 602 takes lead from some of the greats, like Blink-182 and Boxcar Racer. While the animated personas might be the face of the outfit, the real musical magic is brewed by Logan Wells, who handles vocals, guitar, piano, drums, and all compositions, alongside Austyn Shull, the lyrical mastermind. With additional instrumental support from Stokes Turner and Michael Burge, it’s a collaborative effort that’s clearly paid off.
In perfect form, ‘We Have An Alien Problem!’ is a vibrant showcase of Smile 602’s wonderfully chaotic sound. It’s a comprehensive collection, weaving together previously released singles such as ‘Promises’, ‘Cosmic Disturbance’, and ‘My Dreams Don’t Make Sense To Me’ with dynamic cuts from their earlier EP, ‘Grandma’s Boys’. This album isn't just a collection of songs; it’s a full-blown nostalgia trip, designed to transport listeners straight back to the golden age of pop-punk.
Get ready for shimmering melodies delivered thick and fast amidst a blissful cacophony of alien encounters. The tracks are propelled at you with pace, pushed forward by fast-paced, energetic tempos, all underpinned by an unwavering emphasis on catchy, singable melodies and lyrics.
As Austyn puts it, "We just want to give everybody some brand new '90s energized pop punk awesomeness, even though we're in the 2020s." And if ‘We Have An Alien Problem!’ is anything to go by, Smile 602 are well on their way to achieving just that.
You can stream the album above via Spotify, or on all your favorite streaming platforms here. For more from Smile 602, but sure to connect on Facebook and YouTube.
