There’s no album of the week this time round. I have been listening to quite a bit of BC Camplight’s The Last Rotation Of Earth, but despite wanting to like it, I just couldn’t muster up much enthusiasm for it. It’s perfectly ok, but is a bit too self-consciously ‘clever’ (for lack of a better phrase). Despite the subject matter being very personal (it’s basically a ‘break-up’ album) it manages to feel distant; nothing really hits emotionally. It’s the difference between something making you think “that’s funny” and something actually making you laugh. I feel like I’m supposed to like it on an intellectual level, but it doesn’t actually connect.
But I did connect with the tunes on this week’s playlist (look at that masterful segue; somebody should pay me for this shit). It’s a good one this week, if I do say so myself. I even had to cut a couple of tracks to meet my arbitrary self-imposed time restrictions (45 minutes is my cut off – nobody’s gonna listen to more than that). I’ve written about a few of my favourites below, and there’s plenty more to enjoy, from a belting debut by Midlands punk duo, BIG SPECIAL, to Icandy’s viral TikTok hit.
Tunes of the week
Komparrison – He Doesn’t Get It
Since starting this blog, it’s slightly changed the way I listen to new music. I’m always listening through the lens of “is this good enough for this week’s playlist?” (despite me being an upstart nobody, I am actually quite discerning about my choices, I try not to include just any old shit). Usually it’ll take a few listens before I can properly assess a song and decide I like it. But then there’s certain songs, which have me immediately hitting the ‘Add to Playlist’ button. He Doesn’t Get It by North-East five piece, Komparrison is one of those; the type of tune that’ll make you want to go straight back to listen again.
There’s not a load of guitar-based indie these days which doesn’t feel like a re-hash of something that’s come before. And I’ll not suggest that this is massively innovative, but it manages to sound familiar while still sounding fresh; like it should have been done before. The hooks just keep coming here; there’s at least three which could have carried this song by themselves.
Lyrically, this is a reflection on teenage confusion gradually turning into a realisation of your true sexuality. I’m totally not the audience for this, but its testament to the song that this feels like an anthemic celebration, whether you can relate to the content or not.
Meryl Streek – If this is life
See that intro I wrote for the Komparrison tune above; same thing applies here. The distorted flute (?) melody that runs through this is irresistible. That’s a wanky music review way of putting it, but it’s true; it’ll have you wanting to come back for more.
Meryl Streek is essentially a solo project from an Irish musician/producer. I’ve been meaning to catch up on their debut from last year as they’ve been getting name checked alongside politically-charged modern punk acts like Benefits and Bob Vylan. But this latest single is the first I’ve actually heard of their music, and what an introduction it makes.
It feels extremely personal, reflecting the sometimes conflicting dreams and ambitions of artistic fulfilment alongside seeing “what real life is about”. But then it doubles up as a broader political statement surrounding the nation’s housing crisis. Making the political feel personal is an underrated but essential skill when it comes to protest music. It’s how you can truly make people care rather than it feeling like a series of agit-slogans; and they master it here.
The refrain of “needless to say, I do feel blessed with what I got, A shed out the back, And that says a lot” really does say a lot. From a throwaway line about the beauty in simple pleasures to a damning indictment of political policy decisions which have led to the current state of affairs.
I better get caught up on that album.
Lambrini Girls – Boys in the Band
This is my standout from You’re Welcome, the debut EP from Brighton punk trio, Lambrini Girls.
The music here goes pretty hard, like an ominous pre-apocalyptic scene setter. Yet you almost don’t even notice it beneath the stream of righteous anger which propels the whole thing. This song is like an antidote to its namesake from The Libertines. Admittedly, that’s an old favourite of mine but twenty years on, Lambrini Girls are taking no prisoners in calling out the undoubtedly sleazy undertones of that song and the scene it celebrated.
Modern takes on punk rock can feel slightly out-dated at this point, like the whole point of the original punk scene was a reaction against the previous generation. But, while the music may borrow from the past, it feels like Lambrini Girls capture the true spirit of punk by conveying a complete lack of deference to the scenes of those that came before them.
The Bug Club – Clapping In Time/Eddie Says My Songs Are Whack
The Bug Club’s Green Dream in F# was one of my favourite album’s of last year, but I managed to completely miss this album, which they unexpectedly snuck out in March.
It’s a live and (kind of) concept album (although who knows what the concept actually is). They basically supported themselves unannounced on tour with a fictional band name and this is the result. If you read the intro to this blog, I mentioned not being into music which felt too self-consciously clever and like it’s trying to be funny. Now, I’m sure there’s a certain level of self-consciousness here as well, but the silliness of The Bug Club actually translates into the music being fun. Like arguably this whole album is slightly throwaway, I mean it is throwaway; they knocked it out before the actual gig. But the beauty of The Bug Club is that, even in their throwaway stuff, there’s gems.
These two songs capture them in all their goofy glory. An ode to the joy of clapping in time and a lament about some dude called Eddie not liking their songs. And they’re both bangers. Their lo-fi sound and often deadpan vocals make me imagine them as some sort of alternative universe version of The Velvet Underground. Like if Lou Reed replaced the smack with sugary sweets and pop.
Thrillhouse – Something About This Place
When I’m writing up a review of a new band I’m conscious that I avoid just copy and pasting what they’ve wrote about themselves in their bios. Because what’s the point in that. And bands will often sound nothing like the influences they name check. Generic indie bands referencing token hip-hop artists is my favourite.
All of that is to say, Brighton band Thrillhouse name check Springsteen and The War On Drugs as key influences in their bio. And, yeah, that checks out. Not much more to add really.
This is my highlight from their debut EP, Never Given A Chance. It’s a relatively simple story of childhood dreams and memories fading. But it’s injected with Springsteen’s flair for making the slightly mundane seem profound.
And top marks for the Simpsons referencing name.
You can check out previous weeks’ best new music roundups at the Best New Music Weekly archive. And you can keep up with the latest updates by following No Frills Reviews on your chosen social media platform.
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