ALBUM REVIEW: WHO KILLED NANCY JOHNSON - FLAT EARTH THEORY EP
In the past couple of years it has become evident that punk rock is back with a vengeance. New bands are constantly emerging with fresh and exciting music and artists such as ‘Frank Carter & The Rattlesnakes’ and ‘Creeper’ appear to be making genuine waves in mainstream media. At Spirit Level we are more than happy to embrace this fresh crop of bands in the hopes that punk may once again reign supreme.
‘Who Killed Nancy Johnson’ are a post-punk band from Reading who formed back in 2015 and have recently released their new EP ‘Flat Earth Theory’. Sounding like a blend between ‘The Dead Kennedy’s’ and ‘Misfits’ amongst a wide variety of other punk influences; ‘Flat Earth Theory’ is four tracks of grade A punk rock ecstasy. There are few things as pleasing to our ears than a crunchy guitar tone backed by a phenomenal bassist to fast paced drums and staccato vocals. ‘Who Killed Nancy Johnson’ pack an incredible amount of hooks both instrumentally and vocally into this short EP and leave you desperate for more. Julien Bruinard’s bass licks on ‘Alien’ bring a swinging groove that many young bands lack and the bands control of dynamics bring the songs to a higher standard with moments such as the rousing crescendo finale of ‘Mouth and Trousers’ which has a chorus that is impossible not to join in on.
The EP may be only four tracks long, but ‘Who Killed Nancy Johnson’ are already hinting towards a full length album later in the year and we can’t wait to hear what comes next.
7/10
Personal Highlight: Fourth and final song ‘Dark Horse’ is the most energetic of them all and where the whole band truly shine. Vocalist Stefan Ball puts on a spectacular performance as he moves from soft verses to a deliciously catchy chorus. Likewise, this is also guitarist Pete Moulton’s time to shine starting with the palm muted chugging in the verses all the way to the blinding solo. All in all, ‘Dark Horse’ is a song so catchy that you won’t even realise that you are singing along and Mark Wren’s pounding drums at the end will have you uncontrollably pumping your fists in the air.
