On New Junk City’s sophomore full length, Same Places, the Atlanta-based quartet explore through this idea of trying to stay young at heart while your body grows older and older. Building upon the foundation the band laid on their debut LP (2014’s Self Titled Effort), Same Places continues the bands trend of high-energy, high-intensity melodic folk-inspired and pop-influenced style of punk, while also dipping the bands metaphorical toes into some new realms. Often compared to the likes of the Menzingers, early-era Get up Kids and The Gaslight Anthem, New Junk City layers a combination of both brash and noodling guitars over a driving and pounding rhythm section, combined with gravelled-but-oddly-melodic vocals with a certain fervor and passion not often captured on record. And while the bands music and sound certainly is one of their biggest selling points, on Same Places singer John Vournakis belts out nine heart-on-the-sleeve songs and stories dealing with the fear of loss, fear of being alone, and fear of being stuck, both in a literal and metaphorical sense. From the squealing feedback that opens the record, all the way through it’s abrupt ending, Same Places takes the listener through a journey of growing older, while still trying to remember who you are.
There’s a phrase you’ll see floating around twitter from time to time: “music for Old Punx.” While it started as something sort of tongue and cheek, the term “old punx” has begun to resonate and take a life of its own in the scene because it represents growth and maturity (both in terms of musical taste and life in general) while still staying true to the music and ideals that helped mold you into the person you are today. And while Same Places might not just be “music for old punx,” New Junk City absolutely build through that idea on this record. Because, to end where we began, getting old kind of sucks. But New Junk City seem to be making the most of it.”
Taking cues from Midwestern emo and early ’10 pop punk, this Leeds, UK outfit are full of heart— not to mention hooks. Bandcamp New & Notable Sep 21, 2022
On their self-titled debut, Pkew Pkew Pkew deliver roaring, in-the-red, gang-shouted rock songs about pizza, beer, and...pizza and beer. Bandcamp Album of the Day Jul 29, 2016
The punk legends return with their first studio album in 35 years, featuring reworked fan favorites as well as all-new material. Bandcamp New & Notable Apr 22, 2020
A new track from Pretty Matty finds the band in top form, delivering clean yet crunchy hook-laden power pop with trademark high energy. Bandcamp New & Notable Sep 25, 2020
Sydney group Bloods decamped to Seattle to make this brief, punchy EP that pairs punk attitude with sky-high hooks. Bandcamp New & Notable Apr 20, 2020