Mexico is certainly not one of the countries most people would automatically associate with Oi! punk. Yet Guadalajara has produced one of the bands that has impressed me the most in recent years – Mess. Since forming in 2020, they’ve released three singles, a split with The Chisel, contributed the track Liar to the Stronger Than Before compilation, and finally unveiled their debut album Under Attack in 2024. This compilation of singles and EP tracks brings together virtually everything the band recorded before that debut. It includes every song from the singles, the split release, and the compilation appearance, with the only missing material being the tracks from Under Attack itself.
It’s also worth noting that most of these recordings originally came out through the Basque label Mendeku Diskak, which has become synonymous in recent years with high-quality contemporary Oi! punk, often characterized by a darker sound, visual identity, and lyrical approach. The only exception was the Traidores EP, which the band self-released. This time, however, the collection has been handled by Pirates Press Records. Whether that’s due to Mendeku Diskak’s current inactivity or simply the result of a new partnership, I can’t say—but that’s how it turned out.
Mess build their sound around two guitars, delivering raw Oi! punk firmly rooted in classic punk with a darker atmosphere. If I had to describe their style, I’d take the early work of Blitz, UK Subs, Stiff Little Fingers, and GBH, mix in a touch of Last Resort, and add a modern, more aggressive yet gloomy production. The result is exactly what Mess are all about. Their songs rely on straightforward three-chord structures, powerful guitar work, and an urgent, intense vocal delivery that gives the entire record an authentic street-level atmosphere, reinforced by angry, uncompromising lyrics.
The opening track True Love is a filthy street punk anthem that throws you straight into the chaos in front of the stage. The same explosive energy carries through songs like The Only Judge and Fuego, Fuego, Fuego. On the other hand, Street Boys reveals the band’s more melodic side. Its catchy chorus and slightly looser feel prove that Mess can write memorable songs just as easily as aggressive ones. That approach works equally well on Don’t Look Back, one of my personal favorites, and the excellent Bleak Days.
Alongside those, you’ll also find more direct punk assaults built around simple rhythms and dominant guitar work. That’s exactly what you’ll get from Authoritarian Tools, I Don’t Like You, F.T.W. (For The Win), True Hate, the raw Liar, and the anthem-like The Lad. Every song has its own identity, yet they’re all united by the same energy and uncompromising punk attitude.
The record also includes several songs sung in Spanish, including Sospecha, Sal De Revolver, and Traidores. Sospecha strongly reminds me of early UK Subs, while Traidores is, in my opinion, one of the best songs the band has written so far. The use of Spanish also adds another dimension to their music, creating a compelling contrast with the predominantly English-language material.
Lyrically, Mess operate exactly where you’d expect a band like this to be. They write about the lives of working-class troublemakers, violence, street reality, distrust of the media and the system, social issues, and the need to face your own demons without relying on anyone else. Their lyrics feel authentic because they clearly come from experiences and surroundings the band knows firsthand.
In total, you get sixteen tracks that document virtually the band’s entire early output in one place. If you’ve been following Mess from the beginning, chances are you already own most of these releases. Even so, this compilation absolutely earns its place. Everything is gathered together in one package, accompanied by excellent artwork and complete lyrics. I bought it despite already owning all the original singles and EPs, and I don’t regret it for a second. If you missed any of the earlier releases, this is the perfect opportunity to fill the gap in your collection. In my opinion, Mess are one of the most exciting Oi! punk bands around today, and I genuinely enjoy everything they’ve released.
TOP TRACKS: True Love, Traidores, Sospecha, Don’t Look Back, The Lad
