ALBUM: The Other Ones – ‘The Other Ones’

London based pop-punk four-piece The Other Ones join Reckless Yes for the release of their self-reflective and self-titled debut album, following their two self-released extended plays: 2017’s Perfect Girl, Normal Boy and 2019’s Picking Up the Pieces. The result is an evolution of the infectious sound they have cultivated over the past five years; a fusion of punk-rock riffs and melancholic pop influences, from Buzzcocks and My Chemical Romance to The Smiths and Kate Bush.

Introducing The Other Ones with opening track ‘Drown You’, bassist Vicky and guitarist Nick whet the appetite for the rest of the record with their unrelenting energy; the power (pop) couple’s distorted riffs offset against front-woman Steph’s and Nick’s spellbinding vocal harmonisation. Next, the cathartic ‘On Top of Me’ reflects on mental health and the struggle that we have all experienced at some point in our lives: “I wake up every day / I wish I could run away / You say it’s getting better / Why do I feel the same?”

‘Forever Young’ is another self-reflective track, this time nostalgic for younger, care-free days; oozing fuzz and swooning vocalisation. Shimmering pop-punk that is the perfect addition to your next mixtape! Relationships are explored next in ‘Money’ (“We never kiss / We never touch / We only talk about money!”), a track that drenches the listener in distorted sound. Originally recorded for their first EP, The Other Ones instinctively let loose on this reimagining; particularly drummer Francis with a thrashing percussive soundscape reminiscent of Jord Samolesky’s latter work in Propagandhi.

Slowing everything down for ‘Out of My Head’, scuzzy guitar riffs define the track’s soft-loud-soft dynamic, transitioning into the acoustic track ‘I Wish I Was Your Boyfriend’, where gender identity is left ambiguous. Raw emotion (and a spacey bridge) dominates ‘Better Off Alone Again’, whilst ‘Wasted Youth’ sees The Other Ones picking up the pace with Vicky’s throbbing bass-lines and a punchy drum assault from Francis.

‘Sad Case’ is yet another reimagining from Perfect Girl, Normal Boy, further showcasing Nick and Steph’s overlapping vocal abilities, but it is the title track, ‘The Other Ones’ that truly defines their impressive debut. Propelled by the scuzziest of riffs, ‘The Other Ones’ is a fitting anthem for the misfits of society – the freaks who won’t conform to societal norms – firing on all cylinders with a fierce, impassioned performance from Steph. Fuck all societal expectations to be a certain way… Strive for complete self-expression: “We are the other ones / We are the other ones / We are the other ones / We are not alone!”

Closing The Other Ones’ self-titled LP is the ethereal acoustic soundscape ‘I Think Too Much’; an unexpected, but welcomed, departure from the preceding ten tracks of energetic DIY punk rock.

With their debut, The Other Ones have delivered infectious hooks, emotionally-driven melodies, and enough feverish feedback to reinforce their underlying message: Fuck you to anyone who has ever told you that you’re not enough just by being yourself. “We’re the freaks and we don’t belong.”

 

‘The Other Ones‘ is out now via Reckless Yes. Buy on bandcamp.

Ken Wynne
@Ken_Wynne

Photo Credit: Keira Anee Photography

 

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Track Of The Day: Nervous Twitch – ‘Tongue Tied’

Having charmed us live at The Finsbury and with previous single ‘Keeping Faith In Something, Leeds trio Nervous Twitch re-released their first three albums this year and have now shared a vibrant new single.

Taken from their upcoming fourth album, ‘Tongue Tied’ is a comforting ode to “Self-reflection and amazement over the contradictions in life”. Propelled by scuzzy surf-rock inspired hooks and an instantly catchy uptempo musicality, it’s a colourfully retro slice of uplifting punk-pop. Guaranteed to get you singing along on first listen, it’s a perfect example of Nervous Twitch’s ability to create instantly infectious and undeniably joy-inducing offerings.

Listen to ‘Tongue Tied’ now:

 

‘Tongue Tied’ is out now via Reckless Yes, ahead of Nervous Twitch’s fourth album, set for release early next year.

Mari Lane
@marimindles

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Track Of The Day: Hearts Beating In Time – ‘Simone’s’

In a sweet recipe of floating melodies and twirling lyrics, Berlin’s Hearts Beating In Time brings us her new twinkly single, ‘Simone’s’. With elegant layers of dreamy synths and simple supportive percussion, Rebecca Theuma’s vocals tip-toe across her track in a delicate and inviting way. Simple lyrics that feel like a conversation with a friend invite listeners into close proximity, delivering a safe haven in a perplexing world. Rebecca’s disposition is comforting as she discusses the rotating world around her as she watches the sunrise.

As the track builds, she asks “I wonder if I’ll ever be a happy, perfect person?”, a question many of us ponder in the light of tough times. Against her earnest and worrisome lyrics, Rebecca’s instrumental continues to expand in an optimistic, rose-coloured way. ‘Simone’s’ is a curious reflection, but not one that is weighted in hopelessness. Rich, elongated synth pads never let hope diminish, and as time unravels, the mix feels celebratory of an all encompassing journey. Of the track, Theuma explains:

“This song tells the story of two close friends wandering the streets of their new home; the city of Berlin. They meet at a bar called ‘Simone’s Kleine Kneipe’ and spend the night walking around in the cold, until they can’t go any further and sit on a bench talking about everything and nothing until the sun comes up. The song is a result of this night-long conversation.”

With shades of the likes of LA’s Florist or GIHE fave Deerful in her musicality, Hearts Beating In Time floats in a world that is too immersive to be held to earth, leaving listeners in a welcome dream-pop fantasy. With a retro ’80s electronic tinge present throughout, and a taste of new wave bedroom-pop, Hearts Beating In Time’s ‘Simone’s’ is a ticket to a moment of glittery relief. 

‘Simone’s‘ is out now via Reckless Yes, and is taken from the upcoming album Songs For The Girls, release date tbc.

Jillian Goyeau
@jillybxxn

Photo Credit: Leo Chircop

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Track Of The Day: GodNo! – ‘Hulk’

You don’t hear the words ‘Derby supergroup’ very often – but then, most bands don’t incorporate exclamation marks in their name, either. And, if the fourpiece known as GodNo! are trying to make themselves notable with their punctuation, they’re keeping the side up, sonically, as well. Formed as a side project by members of various bands from the local scene – Cable (guitarist Peter Darrington), Grawl!x/Mighty Kids/Sex Jokes (Shelley Jane Newman, bass and vocals), Merrick’s Tusk (guitarist James Stewart), and Pet Crow (drummer Dan  Barradell) – GodNo!’s origins also lie in the Reckless Yes label, co-founded by Peter, and his desire to emulate some of the bands that it supports.

Following on from ‘Unholy Water’, ‘Hulk’ is GodNo!’s second single from forthcoming EP, Too Much Future. And whereas their debut was heavy on bass and a creepy kind of post-rock, ‘Hulk’ flares out with spikey riffs and a rattle of drums. With Shelley’s vocals on lead here, there’s a delightful contrast between her voice and the backing – reminiscent of both Sonic Youth (who the band cite as an inspiration), but also more recent alt-indie such as Joanna Gruesome. Chrous-wise, it storms away, with over-driven guitar exploding over a rhythm section that flicks the power-switch as Shelley warns: “Being nice won’t save you… My strength is growing all the time”. In its middle-eight, meanwhile, she confirms: “I could be nice / This is a choice”, her voice growing ever more erratic, before a chorus reprise rounds out the song with a pleasingly off-kilter pop flourish.

Described by the band’s label as “a scream and a sigh at the patriarchy”, ‘Hulk’ shows a band with plenty of ideas and the wherewithal to put them together. They say that their songwriting and performing approach is collaborative – creating the perfect crucible for their distillation of fury in sound and meaning. The incredible GodNo!: you’ll like them when they’re angry.

 

John McGovern
@etinsuburbiaego

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