SONG REVIEW: Midfield - "Complicated" (Avril Lavigne Cover)
“A new twist brings life to an old favorite”
by Jesse Smith
What is more pop punk than a pop punk band covering a pop punk classic? Pizza? Maybe? But Midfield’s new cover of “Complicated” originally done by the queen of skater pop punk Avril Lavigne is perhaps the most epic thing that has come out of the genre in a hot minute. For a band that started out as an online-only side project, Midfield definitely has added members that have amazing chemistry and the knack for creating good ole’ pop punk outfit.
Before we get into the music, the video is simply brilliant. Capturing the aesthetic perfectly. Keeping it simple as a performance video but keeping the editing and effects traditional pop punk. Now to the music, it starts like the original but then ramps up the tempo and rips into a new wave rendition of the old guitar riff. As a drummer myself, I was super impressed with the drumming performance by Tyler Patcheli. The vibe of the music and melody is an immediate State Champs/Neck Deep vibe which is PERFECT for this song. Now I may get some hate here, but Midfield’s pre-chorus rendition is better than the original. Song structure wise, It was perfect. It keeps the same tempo and energy but cuts out the heavy distortion making vocalist Matt Kelly the main focal point and he does not disappoint. Matt’s vocal performance is always cranked to 11 but still keeping his vocal dynamic on point. This solid cleaner pre chorus sets up the driving heavy distortion chorus that still has the original feel but comes in heavier and harder.
This is one of the best covers I’ve heard in awhile. Covering within your same genre is very challenging but Midfield has smacked a homerun out of the park and into the parking lot. Taking risks like this are what more bands need to show their own style that makes you want to see what they can do with their original music. Midfield is now immediately on my radar going forward and they should be on yours too. Mark my words, they will be up next in line for top pop punk acts that give a nostalgic feel but from every era of pop punk.