The Junk  - Novus Ordo Seclorum

Hailing from the unique cultural and musical melting pot that is Brighton, UK, seven piece ska-punk/skacore newcomers The Junk will almost certainly have experienced more than their fair share of those two all too common bedfellows, sunshine and injustice; their hometown is (in)famous for unusual quantities of both, from heat-waves to the stark repercussions of economic corruption on our society’s least fortunate. In many ways then, the socially aware yet sprightly, spirited sound showcased on debut EP ‘Novus Ordo Seclorum’ (Latin for ‘New Order of the Ages’) makes a lot of sense, imbuing an irresistibly propulsive punk style with a heap of jocund brass and ska rhythms to further dispute the assertion that these two genres can never sit together happily. ‘Monkey See Monkey Do’ and ‘Scream Your Dreams’ do indeed boast as much bounce as a kangaroo on a pogo stick, but with it comes substance; driving guitars and percussion that creates a feel of frustration and repressed energy as rousing as that of classic political punk bands, along with the leading lights of the ska-punk scene. A three song tracklisting rarely constitutes more than a taster, but for those with an eye and ear for a less convention take on the punk blueprint, it’s a taster that will leave you hungry for more. Those of you already mooning over the untimely loss of Capdown, take note...