OddLisT, the brainchild of Midwest-based artist Matthew S. Horner could just be the latest obsession amongst those of us who consider ourselves elder emos. With a sound that takes us back in time to our Warped Tour days, his music transcends generations and goes to prove that Pop Punk is not in fact dead. His music feels welcome in the company of other titans of the scene such as Good Charlotte or New Found Glory, both in terms of musicality and narrative structure. With the release of his newest single “Undisputed,” he champions his spirit of resilience and uplifts audiences through his words and rhythm.
The single starts with a series of anthemic power cords that get the piece off to a quick start. Horner’s vocals enter with an opening line that embodies the angst of an era, singing “I’m feeling beaten, battered, bruised. Feeling hopeless, journeys through.” The narrative quickly takes on an optimistic tone, fighting back against the forces causing strife with uplifting lines like “I’m convoluted, rewriting chapters” and “I’m undisputed, dodging disaster.” Punctuated with rousing and hard-hitting instrumental accompaniment, the piece leaves the listener feeling excited to tackle the world and all the challenges that come with it.
Horner’s style of music demonstrates a core understanding of why Pop Punk sits in the hearts of all who grew up in the early 2000s. He masterfully constructs his message of approaching the world with blind ambition, finding optimism despite adversity, and coming of age at any age, all set to the tune of an energetic and memorable earworm that ignites the passions of all within earshot.
Written by Nick Gumas
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