Hong Kong provides young alternative artists with a colourful palette of inspiration and local band JoyTrendySound are no exception. Having released Mazzy in 2002, the male and female duo are back with MMM (aka 未命名 or Untitled) on POCH Records. Evidently a step towards the alternative side of the rock genre, MMM is a manifestation of the strains of urban life mixed with messages of how to deal with them.

The album’s intentions are well met. Listeners can be encouraged by uplifting tunes and motivating lyrics about how to stand up against authority (government, employer, etc) and to look on the bright side of adversity. Vegetables encapsulates the importance of healthy living whilst No End covers how life can be plagued with obstacles. Clearly they want their voice to be heard. However, the album does leave space for recuperation with the instrumental interludes of M1, M2 and M3.

It is a brave attempt at producing something different. However, one disappointment is that their “social rebellion” is a little on the tame side. It’s not exactly Rage Against The Machine but it is a decent start.

Jon Tucker