Music Review: Alex Melton Finds His Own Voice Through "The Process"

Alex Melton has gained recognition as a cover artist on YouTube and other major streaming platforms. You may have heard his versions of “Fix You,” “Wonderwall,” and “Love Story,” and if you haven’t listened to those covers, I highly recommend you do. Alex signed with Pure Noise Records and is releasing his newest album, “The Process,” available on all major streaming platforms on March 6th, 2026.

The album begins beautifully with “Falling In Love Again.” The guitar riff and the drumming groove, which combines floor tom, snare, and hi-hat work, really energize the track. It features hints of punk energy, along with touches of country and raw, crunchy guitar reminiscent of bands like Four Year Strong and Thrice. The chorus is an absolute sing-along for the crowd and is easy on the listener's ears because the band plays in the pocket for this moment to happen. At first, I wasn't keen of the outro transitioning to half-time time, but after listening to it a few times, it has grown on me. “Falling In Love Again” is a fun, driving song that is perfect as the opener on the album because it gives the listeners a preview of what’s to come.

“Take It Easy” slows down the energy and allows the listeners to focus on the lyrics and the meaning behind them. The lyrics explore the internal struggle of ambition and indulgence, which is something I myself can relate to. “Get it done / wrap it up / check the list off” “Be the man / execute the plan perfectly.” You feel the pressure to succeed, but in the chorus, you feel Alex Melton wanting to step back. “I’ll try to sit back and take it easy and just / wait around for someday.” I really appreciate the instrumentals and how they slowly build throughout the song, and the punchy, hard-driven guitar that comes in at the bridge adds an extra element to the song to make it stand out.

"Spinning Me Out" captures the pop punk vibe that Alex Melton is famous for. The song features punchy riffs, energetic drum fills, and the high energy typical of pop punk. It's a track that makes listeners smile and nod along to the rhythm. "Spinning Me Out" made me feel in sync with Alex Melton because after the second chorus, I hoped for a half-time breakdown common in pop punk/post-hardcore, and the bridge and outro delivered just that. I screamed "YESSS!!!!!" in my car upon hearing it for the first time.

“Infinity” is a beautiful love song that is a blend of pop punk and alternative rock. The drum groove in the latter part of the verse stands out with its hi-hat, snare, kick drum combination, yet it complements rather than overpowers the lyrics. The chorus is catchy and sticks to a sprocket groove, which allows the lyrics to take precedence. The lyrics tell a story of the dynamics of a relationship and supporting one another in their dreams. This narrative is vividly expressed in the lines “You tell me your dreams and vicious plans / you soar the sky yelling catch me if you can / yeah you make me open up my wings and finally feel the calming breeze.” 

“Hurricane” combines country and alternative rock elements. The guitar riff has elements and feels of a country guitar riff, but the tone screams alternative rock. The chorus changes direction and explodes with distorted guitars and an upbeat tempo that feels rebellious and fits alongside artists in the early 2000s pop-punk emo scene. I can’t help but wonder if the loud guitars and punchy drums are a metaphor for the storm or if that’s just me overanalyzing.

“Look Up” might be my favorite song off “The Process.” It’s pure pop-punk through and through, driven by energetic guitars. The drumming perfectly matches the lively guitar riffs throughout the song, evoking an early 2000s Motion City Soundtrack feel. The standout part of this song is the chorus and how Alex Melton delivers the lyrics. After hearing the chorus the first time, I was singing along with Alex in the second chorus. I can already envision this song being played live, and Alex Melton extends the bridge section for crowd participation.

“Feel It All” leans into “Look Up” and embraces the pop elements. I do appreciate the instrumentals being more in the pocket, but it does feel that both of these songs lean heavily into the same structure with little difference. What I really like about the song are the lyrics and how relatable they are. It does give the song a raw, relatable tone.

“Thunderstorms” has R&B and soulful vibes oozing all over it. It’s a much-needed breather the album needs from the high energy Alex Melton brings to all previous songs. The instrumentals complement Alex’s vocals while also bringing listeners to a calming place. In a way, it reminded me of watching a thunderstorm on a summer evening and just listening and reflecting on life.

"Moment" and "Monday Morning" maintain the vibe of "Thunderstorms" while incorporating alternative rock and country influences. I appreciate Alex Melton's vocal performance in both tracks, but I don't think they should conclude "The Process." The album begins with high energy, but it gradually diminishes as it progresses. After finishing "Monday Morning," I didn't feel compelled to replay the album. This isn't to say the songs are bad; however, rearranging some tracks might have improved the flow.  

The production by Alan Day of Four Year Strong is phenomenal. You can hear every drum fill, guitar lick, and vocal clearly without one overpowering the other. I also value how the bass and kick drum deliver a clean low end, avoiding any muddiness or overwhelming punch with each kick drum hit. While that intense feeling suits certain albums and genres, it's not what I desire here. Excellent job, Alan Day!

What stands out the most with Alex Melton and this album is that he isn’t afraid to blend genres. The songs encompass pure pop-punk, alternative rock, soul, country elements, and many other genres. I can see him being on tour with Thrice, Four Year Strong, Goo Goo Dolls, Teddy Swims, Jelly Roll, Benson Boone, Simple Plan, Hardy, The Wonder Years, and Jimmy Eat World, and it would make sense. Not many artists have that ability to blend genres so well together to make something that is truly unique and his style. I’m excited to see what the future holds for Alex Melton.   

"The Process" will be available everywhere on March 6th. You can also pre-order the album, along with vinyl and clothing options, on the Pure Noise Records website.