Autumn’s Child – ‘Melody Lane’

(Pride & Joy Music)

Melody Lane by Autumn’s Child is the kind of album that reminds you why you fell in love with melodic rock in the first place. No gimmicks, no trend-chasing, no unnecessary detours, just straight-ahead, joyful, fist-pumping melodic rock that puts a huge grin on your face from the first spin to the last. Albums like this are becoming rarer these days, which makes Melody Lane all the more special. I absolutely adore this solid slab of straight-ahead melodic rock!

At the heart of Autumn’s Child is Mikael Erlandsson and frankly, the man is a melodic rock machine. Prolific doesn’t even begin to cover it. Time and time again, Erlandsson delivers albums packed with memorable hooks, uplifting melodies and choruses that feel instantly familiar without ever sounding tired or recycled. Melody Lane continues that tradition beautifully, showcasing a songwriter who understands the genre inside out and still writes with genuine passion and belief.

From the opening moments, Melody Lane announces itself as a celebration of classic melodic rock values. The guitars are bright and melodic, the rhythms tight and driving, and the keyboards subtly enhance the songs without overpowering them. Everything sits exactly where it should. This is an album that feels carefully crafted but never overproduced it’s polished enough to shine, yet raw enough to keep its rock ‘n’ roll soul intact.

One of the real joys here is the consistently upbeat and positive feel running through the album. Even when the songs touch on emotional or reflective themes, there’s an underlying sense of optimism that lifts the listener rather than dragging them down. In a world that often feels far too heavy, Melody Lane offers a welcome escape it’s an album you can throw on, turn up loud, and just feel good about life for an hour or so. That’s melodic rock doing exactly what it does best.

Of course, no Autumn’s Child album would work without Mikael Erlandsson’s voice and once again he delivers the goods. His vocal performance on Melody Lane is amazing and evocative, full of warmth, power, and emotion. There’s a sincerity to his delivery that makes every lyric believable, whether he’s belting out a big chorus or easing back into something more melodic and reflective. He’s one of those vocalists who makes everything sound effortless, and that’s a rare gift.

Song after song, Melody Lane delivers those addictive melodic rock moments that keep you coming back for repeat listens. The choruses are big, bold, and catchy, but never lazy. The verses build naturally, the bridges add just enough variation, and the guitar solos, thankfully, serve the songs rather than showboating for the sake of it. This is classic songwriting discipline, and Erlandsson clearly understands that less is often more.

The album kicks off in confident style with ‘Heartbreak Boulevard’ a bright and driving opener that sets the tone perfectly. Crunchy yet melodic guitars, a classy keyboard sheen, and one of those instantly memorable choruses remind you straight away that Autumn’s Child are masters of the genre. It’s upbeat, hooky, and pure melodic rock comfort food.

A slightly more anthemic feel comes through on ‘Pray For The King’ with a strong sense of drama in the verses before opening up into a soaring chorus. Mikael Erlandsson’s vocal delivery is powerful and emotive, adding weight and authority to a song that feels made for festival-sized singalongs.

And then there’s ‘Fight To Love’ which for me is the absolute standout track on the album. If you want a textbook example of how to write a straight-ahead melodic rocker, this is it. From the moment it kicks in, the song grabs hold and refuses to let go. The riff is punchy, the melody instantly memorable, and the chorus – well, good luck getting it out of your head once it’s lodged there. This is the kind of song that makes you reach for the repeat button without a second thought. Pure melodic rock gold.

True to its name, ‘Singalong’ is pure feel good melodic rock. Light on its feet, ridiculously catchy, and bursting with positivity, this track is impossible not to enjoy. It’s one of those songs that just lifts your mood without even trying.

Things ease back slightly here with a more reflective, melodic approach. A ‘World Without Love’ showcases Erlandsson’s ability to convey emotion without losing momentum. The chorus is heartfelt and beautifully delivered, proving that Autumn’s Child can do depth as well as drive.

Back into full-on melodic rock territory, ‘Highway To The Sky’ feels like a journey song in the best sense. There’s a sense of freedom running through it, with sweeping melodies and a chorus that feels made for open roads and loud stereos.

‘Headlines’ brings a slightly sharper edge, with a punchier rhythm and a more contemporary feel. It still keeps melody front and centre, but there’s a grit here that adds welcome variety to the album.

As the title suggests, ‘Lovesong’ leans into the romantic side of melodic rock. Warm, smooth, and full of heart, it’s carried by a strong vocal performance and a chorus that feels both sincere and classic.

‘Melody’ the album’s namesake track is a celebration of exactly what Autumn’s Child do best. It’s rich in hooks, harmonies and feel-good vibes, almost acting as a mission statement for the band’s sound.

‘Rock of Empathy’ is a more thoughtful and emotionally grounded track, blending strong lyrical themes with uplifting melodies. It’s a reminder that melodic rock can have heart and substance without losing its accessibility.

‘Dead Cold’ adds a slightly darker tone while still maintaining the album’s melodic core. It’s a strong, memorable closer that rounds off Melody Lane on a high, proving once again the consistency and quality running through the entire record.

What really impresses me about Melody Lane is its consistency. There’s no filler here, no tracks that feel like they’re just marking time. Each song contributes something to the album as a whole, maintaining a strong flow from start to finish. It’s an album that works just as well for focused listening as it does as a soundtrack to your day making it perfect for the car, the gym or just unwinding with a cold drink and some quality rock.

Melody Lane is everything I want from an Autumn’s Child album and everything I adore about melodic rock. It’s honest, joyful, melodic, and unapologetically rooted in the genre’s classic sound. Mikael Erlandsson once again proves that he’s one of the most reliable and inspired songwriters in the scene today, delivering an album that doesn’t try to reinvent the wheel, it just makes it spin perfectly.

If you love no-nonsense, feel-good melodic rock packed with hooks, heart, and passion, Melody Lane deserves a permanent place in your collection. Turn it up, sing along and remember just how great this genre can be. Highly recommended.

9/10

Essential Track – ‘Fight To Love Again’

Review by Woody

Track List –

Heartbreak Boulevard

Pray For The King

Fight To Love Again

Singalong

A World Without Love

Highway To The Sky

Headlines

Lovesong

Melody

Rock of Empathy

Dead Cold