Makeout Point’s debut single starts with a cool distorted radio tuning effect, a small but unique touch that makes the whole track feel like it is slowly coming to life right in front of you. From there, the guitars take over as the real stars of the song. They are distorted and quirky without ever becoming too harsh, sitting nicely between lively and loud. They carry most of the energy throughout the track and give the song a very alive feeling.
The vocals are also well engineered, sitting nicely over the guitars and drums without fighting for space. The lead and backing vocals are both crisp and clean, although I think a little more presence in the mix would have helped them stand out even more. The drums are wonderfully played too. They are tight and soft in the right places, pushing the song forward when needed and pulling back when the moment calls for it. That restraint helps keep everything controlled, even when the track gets a little chaotic.
What really stood out to me was the structure. The lyrics are simple and playful. The whole song is basically the singer asking a friend to pay back the fifty dollars they owe, but it is done with humor instead of anger. It is a simple idea, but the way the song is put together keeps it interesting. It doesn’t just rush through the two minutes. There are different sections that give the song a real sense of movement, and the part near the end where everything briefly drops out before coming back is a really nice touch. It is a small moment, but it makes the song feel bigger than it’s runtime.
With “Our First Album” coming this November, “$50” is a short and sharp introduction to Makeout Point. It gives you a good idea of what they are capable of while still leaving you wanting more. If this is what they sound like on their debut single, the rest of the album should be worth paying attention to.
Written by Toyo Senpai
