Coolie Ranx – Oh Girl
Review by: Gimpleg
Coolie Ranx has released the 4th single from his upcoming record Days Gone By and it’s another great track. This reggae track is so much more than what I was expecting with the title of “Oh, Girl”. Instead of being a love song, or a song about someone having a crush on a girl, this song is about a person making bad decisions in bad situations. When the chorus hits of “oh girl, please don’t let me be misunderstood, I mean good, but I do bad things sometimes too”. The vocals and storytelling in this track are great, but the keys are what really makes this track stick out.
With over a third of the album now released, I feel safe saying that Coolie’s venture into his solo music career is sounding really good.
Omnigone – Communities in Collaboration
Review by: Gimpleg
The second single from Omnigone’s Against the Rest album has come out and it gets straight to the point- 1:07 of anti-exploitation punk and skacore featuring J Navarro (Suicide Machines, J Navarro and the Traitors). The first single was a tribute to the community Adam Davis helped build with Link 80- the Against The Rest Crew- and this single is literally called Communities in Collaboration, reminds us that we are not in this alone, and we are not in competition with our neighbors, but in struggle with them against systems that pit us against one another. Everything in this song is tight- blending aggressive punk, ska riffs, great horns, angry vocals that are not muddled or screamed as to be indecipherable. These singles tell me that I am in for an amazing album and When Davis starts the song with “No starving kids, Consume the elite ” my only question is whether or not mustard is the best condiment for the occasion.
NEHA – Melodrama
Review by: JSM
Following up her debut single “Better Watch What You Say” NEHA has returned on the informative “Melodrama.” Mustard does not know if both of NEHA’s singles share a structured narrative but in a way it feels like they do. Human guys, who believe they are being sly, try to say something to catch NEHA’s eye. Their plan backfires causing NEHA to make it known that they better what they say. To avoid this from happening NEHA makes it clear what she is looking for on “Melodrama.”
NEHA wants:
A Man:
- with a six figure job and a ten year plan
- ice ice baby dripping down his hand
- devil who can ride this beat
- better know how to ride with NEHA and her bitches
- have the right attitude
- not afraid of commitment
If you are a guy who lacks ambition with no goals Mustard recommends that you do not even try. Mustard suggests you look over your Cover Letter and resume. If you lack these qualifications Mustard believes you are not a good fit. This is not to say you are not a good fit for another human. Your qualifications may be better suited elsewhere.
NEHA is a rapper that should not be overlooked. Mustard looks forward to future singles from NEHA!
Bathroom of the Future – Post Convention Depression
Review by: JSM
Conventions are a popular part of human culture. They allow humans to dress up as their favorite characters from pop-culture and video games. Even cooler, humans get the chance to meet the actors who played that character for a price.
Mustard has only seen conventions through the lense of concessions. But from the murmurs and banter heard throughout the halls it is clear that these conventions also provide an escape from reality.
On “Post Convention Depression” Bathroom of the Future highlights that feeling after the convention is done. You hope to see your friends again. Or those new humans you met dressed up as a character within the same universe as you. But as the lyrics say, “maybe we’ll see each other again this time next year.”
It is a highly relatable song. Humans who may not have attended a convention before will be curious and potentially scope out tickets. This song will make you not want to feel depressed, per say, but that feeling of missing something you’re passionate about is strong.
NineFingers – XLove
Review by: JSM
Last July, NineFingers released “XLove.” In our interview which was posted earlier this week NineFingers mentioned that the “XL” translates to 40. This is an album about exes while also commemorating turning 40. Age can be a scary thing for humans. Some humans put emphasis on turning a certain age. Accepting that you are growing older can be tough to digest. Growing older makes humans confront their own mortality which brings forth reflection and other feelings.
“XLove” is an album of celebration. Throughout the nine songs and interludes with his daughter you can hear his passion. Rather than trying to please or appease NineFingers has created an album that is authentic. On the opening track “Burn” NineFingers shares their thesis: love is not made to build but burn. Has NineFingers burned their relationship with exes? Potentially. But this album works as a reflection of those relationships along with themselves. Reflection often leads to growth and that growth can allow you to create exceptional art such as this.
Between each song is an interlude with his daughter. Together they talk about NineFingers past relationships and love. It is deeply wholesome and is a nice break between each track. Some humans, understandably, remain private about their lives but NineFingers welcomes listeners into these conversations.
Overall, Mustard believes NineFingers says it best though: “No genre is safe from my exploration.” This album is a testament to that exploration.
Sixteen O’ Six – Made in London
Review by: JSM
The debut album from Sixteen O’Six is an album about self-discovery. Humans are tasked, sometimes early on in life, to answer questions such as: “what do you want to do?”” Who do you want to be?” Where will you be in five years?” These questions can be overwhelming for a human still trying to compose the answer to those questions.
Made in London opens with Sixteen O’Six arriving in London featuring authentic sounds from the station. The title track “Made in London” helps answer one of those pivotal questions: where will you be? But more importantly Sixteen O’Six finds out more about themselves in London.
If this were a film or television program a discovery such as this would be the climax. What the viewers stay tuned for. Mustard believes this early self-discovery works to Sixteen O’Six’s benefit. Now that they are comfortable and aware of who they are it allows them to explore freely.
As the album goes on we get to learn more about Sixteen O’Six. The song “My L” is a song about a friend who they’ve lost connection with. Mustard has observed that this happens with humans. It is not a calculated move but rather life gets in the way.
“Oh My Days” was written after Sixteen O’Six left the hospitality field. Sixteen O’Six details their experience in hospitality and overlooked struggles that come with dealing with humans. As we discussed in our interview, certain humans consider themselves superior to others. They look down upon another’s occupation as it is “beneath them.” Mustard does not understand this mindset. Humans are forced into labor of all sorts so they can provide for themselves and others. Often with long hours that are exhausting. This process repeats itself until retirement. Mustard believes humans should be appreciative of other humans. Nonetheless, “Oh My Days” allows Sixteen O’Six to vent about this and clear the air.
Another standout from “Made in London ” was Sixteen O’Six’s first single “SMT ” which stands for “Secret Misogynistic Tosser ” about a former manager of theirs. This is another single that allows Sixteen O’Six to vent and be free. It is so important humans get to do this. Holding in that negative energy can cause external problems. They are glad Sixteen O’Six was able to do so.
“Made in London” is a terrific debut album. It feels like a living biography in which we are grateful enough to be in the writers room for. Any human who may be struggling with their own identity they recommend they give this album a spin. Maybe it will allow you to discover who you are or what you want to do. There is no timeline for anything. Take the time you need to answer those questions that society often asks of you. They can wait.
Sad Snack – RVIVL!
Review by: Gimpleg
Sad Snack released a single the same day that they played at Ska Punk International’s SPI fest, specifically for the fest- and the song is a love song to music and the ability music provides to give people a voice and a community. It’s a powerful song with everything going for it. It’s positive, it has amazing saxophone, it has a line of gang vocals at the start of the chorus to amp up the crowd, the drums are impeccable, and it has an excellent instrumental portion that drives forward to the last verse that really makes you want to get on your feet and dance (even if you aren’t physically capable). It’s definitely Snack time, but I can’t be sad while I am listening to RVIVL!
Faintest Idea – War to the Palaces
Review by: Gimpleg
“War to the Palaces” might be my favorite of the three singles leading up to their Road to Sedition album that comes out on the 31st. This is a call to action against the building of massive skyscrapers and other real estate to demonstrate wealth and sit empty while homeless people fill the streets unable to afford the empty houses in front of them. There is a brick for every window rings in my head every time I hear the chorus. The track is definitely more punk than the previous two tracks but also features a great bass and drum instrumental portion halfway through the song and features a guitar solo towards the end. This song is lyrically, vocally, and instrumentally motivating.
Buena Suerte – El Feeling, El Sueño
Review by: Gimpleg
Buena Suerte is a Costa Rican ska band signed on Ska Punk International who released their newest EP last week. While I don’t speak Spanish and can’t say much about their lyrics, the album is absolutely great. Definitely a lot of rock influences, but the sound is very crisp, the vocals, harmonies, call and response, and gang vocals are top notch, the guitar and bass are clean, the keys really help accent the songs. I’ve listened to the album a dozen times and still can’t decide my favorite track- it feels like each song is better than the one before, or at least has a little more energy than the song before. “Cuenta Regresiva” and “Nada Que Etrañar” lean more into ska punk while “Big Bang Batalla” is more of a rock/ punk song, but every song on this album is definitely worth listening to, and I definitely recommend Buena Suerte if you want to expand your musical library beyond English only bands.
Music Shelf With Mustard 