Less Than Jake - 'Uncharted' EP Review

Tracklist:

Broken Words
Walking Pipebomb
Not My Problem
Brand New Day
Sunny Side
Dead Days (Over and Over)
Shake Loose the Truth

Less than Jake released their new EP, 'Uncharted', on Pure Noise Records on the 15th of November. I missed this when it was first sent to me but once I listened to it, I knew I still needed to write a review, EP’s this good don’t appear in my inbox very often.

The Florida based ska punks have released their first new music since 2020’s 'Silver Linings', and have named it 'Uncharted' so of course there is no song by that name on the EP.

Coming in at seven songs this is more of a mini album than an EP. The bands trademark energy, horns, punk guitars, driving rhythm section and lyricism are all on show. This is a powerhouse of an EP, opening with 'Broken Words' a full on ska punk assault on the senses that would get the dead up and bouncing around, the energy never drops throughout.

There is no letting up with the next few songs but personally I think the next high point is 'Brand New Day', but that’s not to say the two songs before if aren’t excellent, they are!

This is a band who have toured with Bon Jovi, with Bowling With Soup, have released a huge amount of music and who never stop touring, it shows, they are a tight outfit but to categorise them as ska punk only would be unfair, they are just a great band, great lyrics, great music, great horns, they are a proper rock and roll band with punk tendencies.

'Sunny Side' is even better than 'Brand New Day', which is some going! The final two songs, 'Dead Days' and 'Shake Loose The Truth', both maintain the high standard. I think, perhaps, 'Shake Loose The Truth' is my favourite song on the EP but that’s a close call, it’s all just so good! You may have a different favourite song and I would struggle to argue with you if you did!

It’s the kind of EP that existing fans will love but if you don’t know Less Than Jake this is a great introduction to them, it’s just great fun, great music and made me want to get up and dance while I was listening to it. If you can listen to this and not want to pogo then ska punk is maybe not for you, but as I said it’s more than ska punk, it’s just great music. I really think this is an EP which should break the band bigger in the UK, time for a UK tour? Yes please! If you could consult me on dates and cities tht would be great thanks….

UK festivals next year really should be looking to book Less Than Jake, this is a band that could get any audience going and would be brilliant in a sweaty tent at Kendal for instance (unsubtle hint there Kendal, you still have space!). I really hope they come over soon so I can go a bit mad!