Must we bleed to buy a bridge? A life led punk takes a left turn to there and back again lane, and we find Soup Activists. This is St Louis’ new mutant pop, Martin Meyer’s solo studio project (and ensemble live band). Mummy What Are Flowers For?, the act’s new LP on Inscrutable Records, is punk’s gift back to pop. Friends, penpals, and mail order maniacs will all be told, a princely player with a heart of gold journeyed to Lawrence Kansas to record and rock. With Sweeping Promises, MM ignored the studio clock. SP’s Caufield Schnug behind the board and Lira Mondal in front of the mic, providing supporting vocals.

Songcraft has always been an essential part of Marty’s world (Lumpy and the Dumpers, the Wad, Cal and the Calories, Fried E/M) and special care is provided on Mummy. There’s the crackle and verve of Dolly Mixture, the slyness of Television Personalities, and the pure fun of the Freshies. The pogo is an apt dance for album openers “Jeffrey Jarvis” and “Boys With Plants.” Curiously dressed adolescents lay the groundwork for “Matching Teens” and its swinging organ and crunching guitar. Lira’s singing is furiously focused and fulfilling on “The Times,” bottled fun. “It’s a hit! It’s a hit!” These are the screams I hear each night in the Soup Activists concert audience. Let “Some Doves Don’t” be your introduction to new wave. “Chaos Girls” is an anthem for the apocalypse that dances dangerously in a zone of perilous joy.

• Format Type: 12"
• Genre: punk
• Year: 2024