Punktastic https://www.punktastic.com Punk, Pop Punk, Hardcore, Metal, Emo Music Tue, 29 Jul 2014 08:38:52 +0000 en-GB hourly 1 Dikembe – ‘Mediumship’ https://www.punktastic.com/album-reviews/dikembe-mediumship/ Tue, 29 Jul 2014 10:00:22 +0000 http://punktastic.com/?post_type=tc_albumreview&p=150986 Having played my You Blew It! / Dikembe split cassette to the tape’s literal death, “It’s been a long time coming” is a fitting opening line Dikembe’s new LP ‘Mediumship’. ‘Mediumship’ was released on Tiny Engines, who also released the band’s first LP, Broad Shoulders, the ‘Chicago Bowls’ EP and their split with Jazz June, so it’s safe to say the band and the label seem to be having a fruitful and happy relationship. Over the two years since their first release, Dikembe have created a unique sound that is distinct and beautiful. In contrast to their freshmen LP ‘Broad Shoulders’ – which was great, but also sort of sounded like an extension of Ryan’s and Steve’s old band, Wavelets – this new record is mellower, grungier, and fuzzier than anything they’ve ever done before.

Returning to ‘Even Better’, the record begins with a quiet guitar intro that builds with the vocals, and eventually sweeps up and kicks you out of whatever head space you were in before. With “always tired and just can’t catch a break”, ’Donuts in Six Speed’ has one of the most memorable and saddest hooks on the record. The 90s grunge influences on this record are fantastic and give it a gravity that makes a relatively short record feel like a fully-fledged journey.

Anything that can punch you in the gut like ‘Mediumship’ is probably worth listening to. This Dikembe record sounds completely focused – where ‘Broad Shoulders’ had feelings of heightened anxiety, ‘Mediumship’ is comforting while being melancholy, and is a record where the band really finds their own distinctive sound and voice. Listen to this record, see this band live, and challenge them to a round of Magic The Gathering.

JESSICA GARCIA

]]> Little Big League / Ovlov – ‘Split’ https://www.punktastic.com/album-reviews/little-big-league-ovlov-split/ Wed, 23 Jul 2014 10:00:20 +0000 http://punktastic.com/?post_type=tc_albumreview&p=150787 Little Big League and Ovlov find themselves in good company as label buddies that have a similar sound, and that helps make this split a delightful listen. The two songs Little Big League bring out are bright with fantastic guitar riffs paired with the singer’s combined feminine and aggressive vocal approach. Michelle Zauner sings every word with an intention and purpose that takes the listener on an emotional ride.’Year of the Sunhouse’ is a poppy summer jam filled with catchy riffs and a fun sing along vibe. It feels like summer. ‘Pure Bliss Choices’ has a slightly more melancholy tone that doesn’t really make me want to party but is still a great song out of Little Big League. Paired with the emotional driving score, it gives a extremely personal view into the ideas of remembering the past looking back and mourning how things used to be and how they are now.

The Ovlov song follows similar themes to the Little Big League side, talking about heartbreak, how time passes and change is painfully inevitable. Ovlov pair these lyrics with strained riffs and a good sprinkling of feedback to give in to these tumultuous feelings. The unrelenting drums come full force pounding and at a mile a minute pace.

Overall the split provides the listener with an experience of two bands that compliment each other well, but it is the Little Big League side that really shines.

JESSICA GARCIA

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