It’s not every day you come across a band with members from Hong Kong, Israel, and Germany, giving them such universally diverse perspectives as the shameless genre-benders of PLAIINS – let alone ones with the musical chemistry to create an EP like Puppet (Self-Released). Through a seamless blend of punk, indie, hardcore, and alternative rock, the multicultural trio uses their range of experiences to oppose political issues from around the globe. Thus, making them lyrically relatable across nations, as well as sonically appealing to indie and punk fans alike.

The minute-and-a-half opener ‘Your Friends All Bore Me’ provides a short but sweet introduction to the raucous energy and melodic subtleties of the group’s sophomore release. The haywire guitars and snarky vocal styles work effortlessly together to multiply the unhinged ruthlessness built up through years of feeling powerless under corrupted authorities. ‘Polidicks’ is as blunt as the name suggests with lines such as “Today I got a letter and it’s time to choose, the wanker with the mustache or the pedo on the news” and “Look what they done to us, how they are turning us all against each other” – lyrics so on the nose they snap you out of the infectious grooves for a double take. 

While that may be the most straightforward of the tracks, the others don’t fall far behind. ‘Wooha! (Speak Easyyy)’ is a satirical take on the dangerous egomaniac-turned-celebrities shaped by Hollywood and corporations, mocking delusional mindsets with high-pitched sneers and rollicking beats. Title track ‘Puppet’ pulls off the opposite effect with near-whisper vocal lows grumbling about being controlled like a voodoo doll. 

What first caught my attention about the penultimate track ‘Chelsea Smile’ was the subtle The Used vibes of the theatrical vocal delivery and chorus hook. However, the laid-back yet anticipating energy of the spoken word bridge is what sold it to me as my favorite of the bunch. Closer ‘Nothing’s Gonna End Us Till The Aliens Do It’ is a solid ending for a wild EP, spitting and snarling about aliens ending political villainy when they destroy the world. 

While their sound might not be exclusively punk, the background and direct attitude of PLAIINS are just about as punk as punk can get. That brutal honesty is sure to bring them plenty of fans and haters– and that is exactly what makes them so respectable.

Buy the EP here:

https://save-it.cc/plaiins/puppet

7 / 10

COLLEEN KANOWSKY