Not Another Music Blog.: punk

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Thursday, 1 February 2018

EP Review: Heavy Lungs - 'Abstract Thoughts'

After a handful of shows supporting the likes of METZ and IDLES, Bristolian punk outfit Heavy Lungs release their debut EP titled 'Abstract Thoughts' on the 2nd of February. Forming in the Spring of 2017, the quartet's influences vary from GØGGS to Iceage and Iggy Pop to Tyler, the Creator. These influences amount to a sound of raw passion and heat worthy of any serious punk outfit.

Photo by Jamie E. Murray

The EP opens with the intense 'Poster Boy' which is a three and a half minute blast of complex drum patterns and simple but effective guitar riffs. Up next is the brutal title track that combines heavy beats and blues-influenced riffs. It's on this track where guitarist Oliver Southgate really lets rip with his experimental and noisily jarring solos.

In a welcomed move, the overall pace is initially slowed down on the Blur influenced second single 'Stutter' before the four-piece turn up their trademark ferocity in the final stages of the track. On 'Descend', Heavy Lungs take it back to basics with a four-note blast of a track as frontman Danny Nedelko manically screams the lyrics. 'Charmer' is the heavily distorted, bass-led closer that exudes darkness and passion. Nedelko performs with an energy that is hard to fully fathom and he doesn't let up on the final track. In the final stages of the tune, the band come together to create a riotous sound that can only lead listeners to want more. It's the perfect closer to a brilliantly strong debut EP.

On 'Abstract Thoughts' Heavy Lungs have set the bar high. The use of experimentation, raw energy, fantastic musicianship and unbelievable passion amounts to one of the strongest debut EPs we've heard in a long time. Guitar bands take note, this is how you introduce yourself to the world.

'Abstract Thoughts' is out on Bandcamp on the 2nd of February, in the meantime listen to 'Stutter' below.

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Monday, 15 January 2018

Album Review: Shame - 'Songs of Praise'

Shame formed three years ago in a practice space at the Queen's Head in Brixton. With three months of spare time ahead after completing their AS levels, starting a band seemed the best thing to set their minds to. Since their incarnation Shame have toured relentlessly with heavy weights like Fat White Family and Warpaint gaining a massive live following and earning themselves some well deserved hype at the same time. 'Songs of Praise' is the punk band's debut release through American indie label Dead Oceans.

The album opens with the dark and brooding track 'Dust on Trial'. Vocalist Charlie Steen performs with a grit and attitude that sets the album up perfectly. Second track 'Concrete' is a fast and powerful tear through trapped relationships and self doubt. The call and response vocals in the verses grow with intensity as the song progresses to the catchiest of choruses. The lead single 'One Rizla' is a fantastic take on embracing insecurities, and is also one of the most melodic cuts on the record. The guitar riffs, combined with heavy grooves and charmingly sloppy vocals come together to create one of the best tunes released in 2017. 'The Lick' is a brooding stomper of spoken word lyricism and sludging bass lines whilst 'Tasteless' and 'Donk' crank up the speed and intensity once more.

Shame's brilliant use of dynamics is brought to the table on slow builder 'Gold Hole'. The final chorus erupts triumphantly with Steen's vocals at their most passionate. Towards the end of the record it feels as if there could be a little more variation when it comes to the instrumentation and overall performance. 'Friction' and 'Lampoon' generally feel a little monotonous. All this is forgotten though as the final track 'Angie' is a closer of epic proportions. Clocking in at just under seven minutes, the track builds and drops throughout before transforming into a brash wall of beautiful noise.

'Songs of Praise' is an exceptional debut from a young band with a glowing future. The album itself was recorded in a mere ten days and with a total run time of thirty-eight minutes, the record is concise and to the point. The mainstream music world may not want them but Shame are the guitar band Britain needs.

8/10

Best track - One Rizla

Worst track - Friction

Listen to 'One Rizla' here.

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Wednesday, 10 January 2018

Live Review: YOWL, Drahla and Crewel Intentions @ The Old Blue Last, London (09/01/2018)

It's a pretty good sign when you have to queue to get in to a punk show full of young, up and coming talent. The crowds were out in force for the first of DIY's 'Hello 2018' shows at East London's famous Old Blue Last. Unfortunately the queue's downstairs meant that we missed spoken-word, grunge-punk heroes Hotel Lux. Maybe next time eh lads?

First up were Crewel Intentions who's online presence is barely even a thing. Fronted by Chilli Jesson of Palma Violets fame and with no music to be found anywhere, we didn't particularly know what to expect. We were pleasantly surprised. The band were brilliantly tight with the bass and drums locking in perfectly. The addition of the keyboards added a 70s rock influence to each track whilst Jesson's energy and wild eccentricity had the audience in the palm of his hands; it was hard to count how many times he jumped into the crowd. For a band shrouded in secrecy and relying purely on word of mouth, Crewel Intentions made a massive statement of intent.

Leeds trio Drahla didn't let a little sound malfunction at the start dampen their set. Their raw and noisy sound showed elements of darkness throughout. Luciel Brown's vocals were relaxed and contrasted well with the hectic instrumentation from the rest of the band. After the release of their brilliant new EP titled 'Third Article' in November of 2017, Drahla backed their buzz with a brilliant live performance.

YOWL causing chaos

Finally, YOWL took to the stage. The Peckham based five-piece instantly made a good impression. Their erratic stage presence coupled with melodic instrumentation and a charming sloppiness was fantastic. YOWL blasted through a set full of crowd favourites such as 'My Headache Likes to Speak' where front man Gub showed brilliant vocal range transitioning from falsetto to gruff shouting with ease. The highlight came when the lads played the incredible 'Saturday Drag'; one of the songs of 2017. The tune captured the hearts of the crowd as every single person sang along word for word. Gub's two broken arms didn't hinder him as he proceeded to perform the tune with great passion whilst perched on a crowd members shoulders. Crowd surfing and mayhem followed as The Old Blue Last lost their minds to a brilliantly well oiled set from one of the best bands on the scene at the moment.

It was incredible to see such a turnout on a miserable Tuesday night in January. There's something special bubbling away at the moment with the London punk scene and it's only a matter of time before everyone else starts to notice.

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Wednesday, 13 December 2017

Track Review: Monocle - 'Jan1'

'Jan1' is the new track released from Bristolian noise-rock trio Monocle. This is the second release from their impending 2018 EP following on from their brilliant debut track 'Crabs'. Monocle was born out of a mutual desire to create something weirder, heavier and nastier than previous musical projects and it sounds like they have done exactly that.

The track opens with noisy guitars that contrast well with the tightness of the kit giving the tune a sense of heaviness whilst also creating an unconventional groove. The most captivating part about 'Jan1' has to be the vocal melodies. Delivered with sincerity and passion, vocalist Becky Whitlock sometimes sounds like a woman possessed. The melody chops and changes throughout, showing an incredible vocal range full of different tones and techniques. The experimentation doesn't stop there. The song structure is unorthodox, there is no clear 'verse, chorus, verse, chorus' structure which could make the tune a challenge for some listeners. It's these individualistic musical traits that ensure Monocle stand out from the crowd.

With 'Jan1', Monocle have released a challenging body of work that pushes the boundaries of the noise-rock genre. With this second teaser from their impending EP, the trio have definitely peaked our interest. We can't wait to hear what's next.

Listen to 'Jan1' below.

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Friday, 8 December 2017

Track Review: Heavy Lungs - 'Poster Boy'

Bristol punk outfit Heavy Lungs have released their debut single 'Poster Boy'. The four lads have been making a name for themselves on the live seen with massive support slots this year for Canadian punks METZ and fellow Bristolians (and Not Another Music Blog favourites) IDLES. With their forthcoming EP titled 'Abstract Thoughts' slated for a 2018 release, it's time to get excited about Heavy Lungs.

The track is a 3 and a half minute blast of complex drum patterns, and simple but effective guitar riffs. The tempo of the track never lets up and the passionate, screamed vocals add to create even more intensity. Musically, the track is quite dark and lacks a little melody until the harmonised guitar solos. This isn't a bad thing whatsoever, British punk is screaming for a little darkness these days and Heavy Lungs duly deliver. The track ultimately builds to a chaotic climax with screams panning left and right and contrasting bluesy guitar riffs. The chaos here is incredibly intense before the tracks tempo slows bar by bar ending with warped feedback and distortion.

This really is a rip-roaring punk track from a band with heaps of potential. After hearing 'Poster Boy', we can only imagine what their live performances are like. Punk music is coming back in such a strong way and we believe Heavy Lungs will be at the forefront of this revolution.

Listen to the blistering 'Poster Boy' below.

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