Review / New Junk City: Same Places

By Matt Alderton, Physics Student

'Punchy, upbeat and melodic punk rock: this is a statement of intent', Physics Student Matt Alderton reviews New Junk City's latest release, Same Places

'Useless friends' is an instant impact from the front end of this record. Punchy, upbeat and melodic punk rock: this is a statement of intent. A creative and driving rhythm section pushes the track in your face, sweeping through with effortless lyricism: "I need medicine / a cure for my acrimony / before I drown in the sea of useless friends."

This new LP from Atlanta punk outfit New Junk City is entitled Same Places and sells itself as a fresh outlook on the bittersweet process of getting older. Spanning nine reasonably varied tracks Same Places draws the listener in to smile and reminisce of the past, to the tune of some absolutely filthy fuzz guitar and instrumental backing - can’t get enough.

Second single 'Stay Asleep' kicks in a breakneck pace and pulls you along, as singer John Vornakhis reminds us of the times we live on dreams, telling us "If I just stay asleep / then you can never leave."

Same Places is a punk rock record, there’s no doubt, but what is refreshing is the underlying maturity and radio influence that makes it much easier going on the ear than if another band had recorded the same album.

I hit the halfway mark with 'Losing Side', the longest number of the collection. It features an extended instrumental opening and continues largely how it starts, intermittent delicate guitar lines and squealing feedback.

There’s moments in the album where you can’t quite decipher the lyrics of Vornakhis' vocals but that in itself is somewhat of a punk appeal (I’m thinking of you, Nirvana, with your not-so-punk 'Smells Like Teen Spirit' - nobody has any idea what’s going on in that chorus) and it doesn’t really interfere with the mood and mindset of the album.

At the back end of the album the listener is treated to the musical curveball of 'In Our Blood', a more melodic and introspective four and a half minutes bringing some diversity to the album before ending out with 'Nothing Waiting'.

A confident recapitulation of the preceding eight songs we close with musings of how this is all we get – there is nothing waiting and despite the apparently sober lyrics, we're left energised to get out there and do something - not sure what, but something. There’s also an absolutely ripping synthesised solo to surprise you on the way out, or back in if you need another round through.

Same Places is out now through Real Ghost Records and you should be listening.