Album Review: Columbus - A Hot Take On Heartbreak

Establishing themselves as a pop-punk band with their first album Spring Forever, it proved a hard task to shake the image surrounding the genre for second album A Hot Take On Heartbreak, but that's what Brisbane trio Columbus set out to do - and they're halfway there.

The influence of late '90s alt-rock in songs like Don't Know How To Act and Care At All brings out heavier guitars and rougher vocals while still drawing on relatable millennial angst. Musically, Columbus do change it up - opting out of the typical cheesy melodies and one-liners for a deeper, sophisticated spirit - but the pop-punk still holds strong in the Americanised vocals from singer Alex Moses. Album highlight Piece Of Shit is a hilariously frank and honest take on young adult insecurity ("I've got no job/my best friend is my dog") and is sure to be a fan favourite at shows.

A Hot Take On Heartbreak is an album that shows a lot of growth and the majority of the songs bring forward a less thrashy and careless attitude for a tighter and smoother sound, shown beautifully in final ballad Feel This Way.

With simple yet super catchy melodies, the album travels through the ups and downs of young love while keeping the fun and cheek alive.