Hookflinger – 'North Road Never Sleeps' Album Review

Tracklist:

1. Today’s Already Gone

2. Work and Sleep

3. On Demand and Disposable

4. Reflected Sunlight

5. Doomscrolling

6. Stop Looking Back (feat. Nick Braunton)

7. Tackle the Unknown (feat. Rebecca Braunton)

8. Razorbrain

9. Fight the System

10. 21st Century Hero

This is a self-financed and produced release, and it does show, the production is a little rough and ready at times but what that doesn’t stop shining through is the clear passion and commitment from the band.

I wasn’t really sure what to expect but what I got was a juxtaposition between the music, the lyrics and the singing which works really well.

At times I felt we were going in quite a rocky direction, sometimes a punk ethos shines through and yet at others it’s a very 80’s indie vibe. I have no idea who the bands influences are, but I would take a stab at Joy Division, the Smiths, the Skids, Editors, the Members and REM.

Of course, I could be way off of course but that was the vibe I got listening to this. That’s quite a list to live up to and I think on the whole Hookflinger do. They show some real talent in their songwriting and playing with the vocals, at times, seeming to belong to a different song which really works, at other times they drive the song in a way that the best protest music does, and I think there is a lot of protest going on here but more about life and how hard it is.

I particularly liked the second song on the album, 'Work and Sleep', I instantly connected with it, I suspect many others as well, listen to it and tell me you don’t know what they are talking about?

I also think when they bring a female vocalist in it really works, I think it gives it a totally different vibe, one to think about, it gave it an almost Lemonheads crossed with the B52’s vibe.

There is a lot of energy in these songs but every so often they show some really tight control, they slow it and let the melody shine through. I think there is a lot of potential in this band, and I think they could be quite something live, are they touring? I don’t know but if they are they need to let us know, if I can make it, I’d like to cover it.

I have said four and a half out of five as I think once they get a record deal they will be able to sound even better but if they can translate the energy that shines through into whatever is next, they could be real contenders. Given the whole album was recorded in a month just by them this is a real achievement.

As I said earlier I didn’t know what to expect from this album, so to hear this much energy , this much passion and such great playing was fantastic, there is a lot of pointed writing, they clearly have very strong views and are not slow or shy at stating them but given the state of the world and the various narratives that are being stated from various sources sometimes cutting straight to it and hitting people over the head is needed, step forward 21^st Century Hero.

Punk rock? Indie? Who knows and who cares, the DIY ethos here is more than enough for me, give them a listen, you might just enjoy it.

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Review - Iain McClay