Riding high on airplay charts across mainland Europe, Orange County quartet Mêlée make their UK debut with their single ‘Built to Last’- Alex Chin gives them a mark out of 10.

After listening to the track, it is obvious that Mêlée has been heavily influenced by melodic-pop icons such as Chris Martin and John Legend. I have a problem with tracks, especially debuts, when artists show too much similarity to another more established performers as they are seen as ‘featureless’. I am not sure that Mêlée’s track ‘Built to Last’ has enough vigour or originality to prevent it falling by the wayside within this competitive genre. Undoubtedly, fans of Coldplay, Travis and Michael Buble will probably like this track but I warrant that they won’t remember its name a couple of hours later.

I do not mean to completely criticise this track as it really does have some nice qualities. Indeed, the track is easy to listen to and I wouldn’t rush to change channel if it came on the radio. However, it is my belief that piano-based right-hand melodic pop tracks with a ‘raw rock edge’ have been done to death in the last few years and I think the UK pop scene is due a change of tune.

I wouldn’t be surprised to see it gaining moderate success as a soundtrack to a Jenifer Aniston’s next romantic comedy though.

Score: 5/10
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