In 2024, Newcastle based pop punkers Monkie Mind released a double single ‘Ocean Road’/’Surrealio’, which provided a very effective snapshot of their very melodic sound. If anything, their brand new track improves on those recordings, bringing their chorus writing into particularly sharp focus.

From the outset, ‘Ignite’ is a track that sets up more of an epic feel. Initially, the combination of guitar and voice brings forth an influence from later period, emo-ish Green Day tracks, but once the drums kick in, Monkie Mind really spring to life. Delivering high octane melodic punk with chopping riffs overlaid with ringing guitars, the band immediately call back to works by Strung Out and the much-missed No Use For A Name, whilst a clear northern accent to the vocal reinforces the recording’s UK origins. Punching through the wall of sound, a deep, rattling bass tone brings some extra weight, but the harmony vocals filling the chorus are undoubtedly the arrangement’s greatest strength.

Many punk bands – melodic or otherwise – would be content to leave things there, but Monkie Mind go the extra mile by not only introducing a slightly slower and heavier breakdown for a middle eight, something that surely hints at the power in their live performances, but also focus on a few classic sounding pop-punk “whoa”s, worthy of The Offspring to create a superb climax.

There’s so much packed into ‘Ignite’, it seems almost impossible to believe that it’s a track that clocks in at barely three and a quarter minutes. This is as tight as hell, and superbly catchy. If it happens to be your introduction to Monkie Mind, it’s likely to be a hugely enjoyable one.

Check out the new video below.