The Nuremberg skatepunk five-piece sharpen their sound, deepen their emotional range, and prove that political punk can hit hard without losing heart
A few seconds of drum roll, a sharp intake of breath — and then everything bursts open. That’s how Melonball’s second album ‘Take Care’ begins, and it sets the tone for what follows: direct, urgent, and uncomfortably honest.
Formed in Nuremberg in 2019, Melonball have been steadily building momentum since 2021, turning heads with relentless live shows and their 2023 debut ‘Breathe’. Now, with their sophomore release arriving on February 27, 2026 via Thousand Islands Records and Rookie Records, they take a decisive step forward. Not sideways. Not safer. Forward.
I’ve spent the last few days living with ‘Take Care’ — blasting it in the car, dissecting it through headphones, letting it run in the background only to find myself stopping mid-task just to listen properly. It’s one of those records that reveals more with every spin. Not because it’s overly complex, but because it’s layered with intent.
After ‘Breathe’, I expected refinement. What I didn’t expect was this level of emotional weight. This doesn’t feel like “just” a second album. It feels deliberate. The band has evolved without abandoning its core – and that’s no small achievement.
Melonball are:
Oli Barth-Jurca – Vocals
Basti Völler – Guitar, Backing Vocals
Viktor Knebel – Guitar
Jens Wagner – Bass
Tommy Hlatky – Drums
When Conviction Turns Personal
Opening track ‘Silence = Compliance’ wastes no time. A rolling drum intro gives way to cutting guitars and a vocal delivery that feels almost too close for comfort. Oli Barth-Jurca doesn’t hide behind effects or polish; her voice sounds present, exposed, human. The production leaves space – but no safety net.
‘Ignite’ grabbed me immediately. Its chorus sticks without ever feeling calculated. You can hear how tightly the guitar work of Basti Völler and Viktor Knebel locks together – intricate but never indulgent. There’s even a short solo that adds texture without breaking the song’s momentum. It’s subtle details like this that make the album so rewarding.
‘Ally Or Alibi’ asks an uncomfortable question: are we truly in solidarity, or only when it’s convenient? The song doesn’t shout the question – it lets it simmer. That restraint makes it hit harder.
Political, Yes — But Never Hollow
The single ‘129’ stands out with particular intensity. Addressing the criminalization of left-wing activists, it doesn’t reduce its message to a slogan. Instead, it feels lived-in. The chorus carries a near-melancholic undertone that contrasts beautifully with the urgency of the verses.
‘Garbage Day’ and ‘Bullshit Revolution’ are more confrontational. Angrier. Sharper. Yet neither feels one-dimensional. ‘Bullshit Revolution’ thrives on its dynamics – tightly wound verses explode into a cathartic chorus that feels destined for sweaty club singalongs.
Then there’s ‘Exist’, one of the album’s emotional high points. Its focus on the right to self-determination is delivered not as a manifesto, but as something fragile and personal. Oli’s vocal performance here feels less like a declaration and more like a confession. The stripped-back production amplifies that vulnerability.
The Bravery of Restraint
What surprised me most are the quieter moments.. ‘The Static’ steps away from breakneck skatepunk energy and lingers in uncertainty. It captures the feeling of a relationship that never fully materializes – all unresolved tension and emotional interference. The restrained instrumentation mirrors that sense of incompleteness beautifully.
Closing track ‘Back to My Gut’ unfolds slowly, almost cautiously. It wrestles with self-doubt, outside criticism, and the weight of personal ideals. When the line “back to my gut” lands, it doesn’t sound triumphant – it sounds grounded. The build is gradual, and the ending offers clarity rather than victory. It’s subtle, and that subtlety makes it powerful.
Raw by Design
One of the album’s greatest strengths is its refusal to sound polished. The vocals are raw. You can hear breath, edges, imperfections. In a genre where “authenticity” is often claimed, this actually feels authentic.
Technically, the band is tighter than ever. The rhythm section provides a solid backbone, the arrangements are thoughtful, and the melodies stick. But nothing feels overproduced. The record sounds like a band in a rehearsal room, just captured at exactly the right moment.
I think ‘Take Care’ is a very good album – but not in a casual, background-noise kind of way. It’s a record that makes me pause. It doesn’t simply rage against everything; it asks uncomfortable questions about responsibility, solidarity, and doubt.
With this release, Melonball demonstrate that political punk doesn’t have to sacrifice depth for volume. It can be loud and reflective. Urgent and human. And maybe that’s the record’s quiet triumph: it demands conviction – but it leaves space for vulnerability.
Order / pre-save the album HERE
Catch Melonball on tour! Starting with 2 album release parties on 27th and 28th February, with further dates HERE
Main Photo Credit: MANUEL WIESLHUBER
- Silence = Compliance
- Ignite
- Ally Or Alibi
- The Static
- Architects of Comfort
- Garbage Day
- 129
- Toxic Routine
- Exist
- Tolerance for Ambivalence
- Bullshit Revolution
- Back to My Gut
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I’m Florian “Flo” Reith, based in Düsseldorf, Germany. Since 2009, I’ve been living for live music – over 1000 shows, 200+ cities, 30+ countries. The camera was there from the very beginning: I tried to capture every gig I went to. Over time, things became more professional and more structured and somewhere along the way, I discovered writing too. I love supporting new and unknown bands. Whether it’s behind the merch stand, working as a roadie, helping organize shows, or sometimes co-promoting them myself – I’m always down to jump in where I’m needed. But let’s be honest: my favourite place will always be the pit – front row, dust, sweat, and pure mosh pit chaos!
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