EP REVIEW: MLEKO – The Feast of St. Perpetua

‘…MLEKO have carved themselves a nice little niche within the post-punk revival scene…’

Bringing big bovines and northern representation to the post-punk revival scene, Mancunian seven-piece outfit MLEKO consolidated their line-up in September 2024 after months of experimentation. The band would release their debut single, ‘Gub Rock’, in 2025, and later that year signed with Heist or Hit. Last month, after accomplishing a fairly rigorous live schedule, the band released their debut EP, ‘The Feast of St. Perpetua’.

Existing in a similar vein to material from contemporaries such as Black Country, New Road, black midi, and The Orchestra (For Now), but with a much heavier emphasis on rock elements, MLEKO have carved themselves a nice little niche within the post-punk revival scene. Certainly, megafans of the movement will appreciate the complex song-structures, brass elements, and eccentric lyricism, but there are enough catchy hooks and punchy riffs that newcomers won’t be alienated.

‘Gub Rock’ is a swashbuckling affair that layers moody, atmospheric strumming next to raucous riffs and rapturous brass fanfares, building from swirling moments of pensiveness towards climaxes that engulf you entirely. ‘Lego Sex’ gets a little absurdist with its approaches to intimacy, pornography and technology (and also just wanting to fuck Lego figures), laying subtle yet disconcerting verses next to rambunctious choruses dominated by dramatic wails of brass and saxophone. It’s a brilliantly haunting affair that permits the band’s wry humour to shine through.

A particularly surprising highlight arrives in the form of ‘As It Goes’. Far more understated that much of the rest of the material here, the track is built around hushed trumpet melodies and looping saxophone refrains, giving the whole affair an alluring yet quietly tense feel. The track builds towards a rapturous climax that crackles about the edges with a sharp sense of encroaching delirium, vocals looping and echoing into some distant abyss, softened only by the pastoral beauty of the manner in which the instruments are constructed.

For a foundation to move forwards from, ‘The Feast of St. Perpetua’ is everything that MLEKO needs and more. The band have clearly established their sonic identity, and offered a fair amount of variety in how they approach their art; there is a real, weighty sense of promise and potential that the whole project exudes. Keep a very close eye on this band, because they carry all the hallmarks of the next indie darlings of the post-punk revival scene.

RATING: 78/100

For Fans Of: Black Country, New Road, black midi, The Orchestra (For Now), HMLTD, Fontaines D.C

Physical copies of the record are available to purchase from here.

Follow the band on social media below:

Instagram // TikTok