This year has been a traumatic one to say least in regards to losing two musical legends in the form of David Bowie and Prince. But politically it has also been a devastating minefield of collateral damage. Brexit caused seismic riffs through the nation and Trump’s recent victory as the President-Elect of America seems to be the final poisoned cherry to top it all off. Nevertheless punk has always gone hand in hand with politics and ‘Kamikaze’ wilfully picks apart and analyses the core societal problems, offset by scuzzy guitars and slurred yet brash vocals.
The So So Glos tackle mental health and depression on tracks ‘Sunny Side’ and ‘Cadaver’, upfront divulging mind processes and troubled thoughts. ‘Magazine’ attacks the vapid culture of social media, “Something to read on my news feed” and at one minute and 18 seconds makes a discreet statement on the short attention span of audiences today; alongside the prominent ‘A King’s County…A So So Glo’ which further provides commentary on the movement towards an individualistic self-consumed culture. The penultimate song ‘New York New York’ discusses the strife and brutal underbelly of the city not often seen by tourists as the group recalls stories of a man living on dog food, as he cannot afford to purchase grocery store meat.
‘Kamikaze’ ignites the fire within you due to its direct choruses and no observation no matter how unpleasant is left out. Whilst it could be easy to turn up your nose to the fact the instrumentals may be relatively straightforward, the magic of The So So Glos truly lies in their witty lyricism. The truth will be broadcast.
8/10
Words: Lois Browne
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