UNKNOWN ERA
Unknown Era are an incendiary live band, you really don't want to take your eyes off them for one note. Don't bother trying to pigeon-hole them either, just accept that they will bring a smile to your face, a desire to dance and that they are bloody good at what they do. There's no wonder that they get asked back to festivals year after year. I confess that it's only recently that I started to add their studio tracks to my collection. I look forward to adding this brand new physical album very soon.
A State of Affairs is a shining beacon in these dark days of pandemics and intolerance. It should be the soundtrack of the summer. It lends itself to being played loud, so open your windows and let the neighbourhood share in the joy.
There are 18 original tracks to enjoy, it is about to be released (12th June) across all digital platforms and can be pre-ordered from your chosen supplier. It is also being released on vinyl and was crowdfunded on Qrates.
So what do you get from 'A State of Affairs'?
Allow yourself to open the magical musical door, step through, away from the current day nightmares and into a garden full of colourful, beautiful, musical pleasure. It is an album that is smile inducing and aurally satisfying. I received the masters list to listen to, so it didn't come in track listing order, I think it sorted them alphabetically so I took each track as it came along.
Each track is skilfully put together, the lyrics are razor sharp, totally current and catchy as hell. The band is blessed with (at least) two lead vocalists, Kane and Mollusca share the bulk of these duties, both are so strong, they seamlessly switch between soulful vocals to rap and then change direction and lead the crowd on the join-in choruses, then add in the talented Embers into the mix and you can then understand why it is pointless trying to describe their genre. It makes the whole album a varied listen, and it is all the better for this.
There's a hell of a lot for Unknown Era to be proud of here, I get the feeling that a lot of care has gone into the putting together of the album and that each track has a soul, it shows. I'm struggling to choose one track as a standout, here's my thoughts as I went down the list.
The tracklist is here :
There are 18 original tracks to enjoy, it is about to be released (12th June) across all digital platforms and can be pre-ordered from your chosen supplier. It is also being released on vinyl and was crowdfunded on Qrates.
So what do you get from 'A State of Affairs'?
Allow yourself to open the magical musical door, step through, away from the current day nightmares and into a garden full of colourful, beautiful, musical pleasure. It is an album that is smile inducing and aurally satisfying. I received the masters list to listen to, so it didn't come in track listing order, I think it sorted them alphabetically so I took each track as it came along.
Each track is skilfully put together, the lyrics are razor sharp, totally current and catchy as hell. The band is blessed with (at least) two lead vocalists, Kane and Mollusca share the bulk of these duties, both are so strong, they seamlessly switch between soulful vocals to rap and then change direction and lead the crowd on the join-in choruses, then add in the talented Embers into the mix and you can then understand why it is pointless trying to describe their genre. It makes the whole album a varied listen, and it is all the better for this.
There's a hell of a lot for Unknown Era to be proud of here, I get the feeling that a lot of care has gone into the putting together of the album and that each track has a soul, it shows. I'm struggling to choose one track as a standout, here's my thoughts as I went down the list.
The tracklist is here :
|
Read Between the Lines opens up, don't take mass media as the truth - ska vibe and whoa oh choruses, it finishes with 'maybe you should take your time'. Great start.
Take Your Time follows on lyrically, from the opener but has a mellow sound, shared vocals just eases you on a laid back journey, with added guitar solo-ish. That's Just the Way Things Are current life social commentary, resonates on a daily basis at the moment. My Town is this Nottingham? Probably your town too, a proper skankalong song. First track daughter put her head around the door and asked 'who's this?' always a good sign! |
Babylon Crumble This was the first track I listened to, I knew straight away I was in for a treat, 'wise up and rise up, sticking it to the man', oh yes. Smiling, nuff said.
Slide My Way chilled opening, some nice twists and turns in this track, understated instrumental breaks really do slide you to the end.
Meet Me (On the Dancefloor) it's a hit! Nothing more to be said, just get up, shake your bits, even this old punk would find it difficult to resist this absolute banger, secondary clapping is a speciality.
The Weekend Tales opens up like a big show tune and eases into a story of weekend excess. Been there, done that, forgotten lots.
Did I mention that digital download is less than a tenner? We're not even half way through and already had more than our money's worth!
I Miss Lizzy I expected this to be an unrequited love song, but no, it's that moment when you've lost a couple of 20's out your pocket.
Eyes of Innocence ska intro and then hit by the hook - this was the 'stuck in my head' chorus last night and the waking up ear worm too.
Change Is the Element great vocals, Em takes centre stage on this track accompanied by beautiful brass highlights and a cool bass-line. I'm resisting the smokey jazz club imagery. Nice!
Run Away (not Runway as above, see I'm paying attention) poignant lyrics, sadly know this story too well. The end guitar riff-age finishes this track off well.
The Twist has a campfire feel at the opening, it then settles into the middle vocals and then we're back dancing around the campfire. Good stuff.
Mass Murder brutal, brilliant, bang on. 'they're killing children, it's not war it's fuckin mass murder'. Top track, everything clicks here, over way too soon.
Rise Together a call to the people, to all of the misfits out there to come together to save the world, feels like there's a nod to Strummer in here, yet more pertinent song-writing.
The Misfit Unknown Era hosts a festival for misfits, the collective noun for their fans is probably 'a misfit' of people. I've always been a misfit, so I now have a song to call my own.
We Don't Care Party song, you know when we could just be outside with good mates, good times and nothing else matters. It's a relatively short song on here, but I'm thinking this could go on for ages in a live set.
Alive That moment when you get to the end of the tracklist and realise that there is one missing! Soon sorted, (thanks Gaz). And so the last track has been duly listened to, a virtuoso vocal performance, a poignant biographical commentary and an appropriate closing track.
There is hope in the world when the beautiful people come together and give us such fantastic music. Come on, get this music in your life, join me and be a misfit.
Here's hoping.
Slide My Way chilled opening, some nice twists and turns in this track, understated instrumental breaks really do slide you to the end.
Meet Me (On the Dancefloor) it's a hit! Nothing more to be said, just get up, shake your bits, even this old punk would find it difficult to resist this absolute banger, secondary clapping is a speciality.
The Weekend Tales opens up like a big show tune and eases into a story of weekend excess. Been there, done that, forgotten lots.
Did I mention that digital download is less than a tenner? We're not even half way through and already had more than our money's worth!
I Miss Lizzy I expected this to be an unrequited love song, but no, it's that moment when you've lost a couple of 20's out your pocket.
Eyes of Innocence ska intro and then hit by the hook - this was the 'stuck in my head' chorus last night and the waking up ear worm too.
Change Is the Element great vocals, Em takes centre stage on this track accompanied by beautiful brass highlights and a cool bass-line. I'm resisting the smokey jazz club imagery. Nice!
Run Away (not Runway as above, see I'm paying attention) poignant lyrics, sadly know this story too well. The end guitar riff-age finishes this track off well.
The Twist has a campfire feel at the opening, it then settles into the middle vocals and then we're back dancing around the campfire. Good stuff.
Mass Murder brutal, brilliant, bang on. 'they're killing children, it's not war it's fuckin mass murder'. Top track, everything clicks here, over way too soon.
Rise Together a call to the people, to all of the misfits out there to come together to save the world, feels like there's a nod to Strummer in here, yet more pertinent song-writing.
The Misfit Unknown Era hosts a festival for misfits, the collective noun for their fans is probably 'a misfit' of people. I've always been a misfit, so I now have a song to call my own.
We Don't Care Party song, you know when we could just be outside with good mates, good times and nothing else matters. It's a relatively short song on here, but I'm thinking this could go on for ages in a live set.
Alive That moment when you get to the end of the tracklist and realise that there is one missing! Soon sorted, (thanks Gaz). And so the last track has been duly listened to, a virtuoso vocal performance, a poignant biographical commentary and an appropriate closing track.
There is hope in the world when the beautiful people come together and give us such fantastic music. Come on, get this music in your life, join me and be a misfit.
Here's hoping.