ALBUM REVIEW – Lucas Bell
After a long 7 year wait, we finally have a new Osaka Punch record. The Brissy locals have been carving it up the last few years, perfecting their live shows with the right fusion of “heavy grooves & smooth pop melodies” as described by the band itself. And putting it straight out of the gate, this has to be one of my favorite records of 2023 so far.
The album opens with ‘Heat Death Ray’, which on first listen, was not the type of song I expected to open an Osaka Punch record. The opening 30 seconds is very soulful, for as soulful as songs can get about giant heat death rays, before blasting into a big, driving instrumentation section. The lyrics about humanity’s destruction are sultrily sung to us by lead singer Jack Venables, as there is a very confusing mix of horniness and concerning subject matter entering the brain. This feels like it is going to become a live show staple, as the chorus to this track is absolutely huge.
The next two songs are songs that have been staples in the band’s live rotation for a few years now, with 2019’s ‘Hall of Shame’ and 2017’s ‘How We Operate’ next on the record. ‘Hall of Shame’ is a much more focused rock and roll genre song that is just a really fun song both as a studio version, and live. If this is a song you haven’t checked out yet, it’s definitely a highlight. As for ‘How We Operate’, this song is just bonkers fun. The music video for this dropped in 2017 and is absolutely bonkers. I would highly recommend checking it out, as this is normally the song I recommend to friends when showing them OP for the first time.
‘Slink’ is a really fun, heavy, jazzy interlude that leads perfecting into ‘Kamikaze’. The opening lyric to this song builds from the verses back into the chorus and slow and fun, so that when that chorus kicks, it makes me wanna run a mosh pit wherever I’m standing. ‘Simulate’, which is the first single in relation to the promotion of the record, is a much more chilled out tune, that while being not so intense comparatively to the rest of the bands discography, fits a nice spot as a softer song on the record. The song does ramp though to a massive bridge that I feel is going to feel so powerful live.
My favorite song on the record though, by miles, is ‘Too Old (For This Shit)’. In what is a common theme for the record, this song is easily the most fun. As an aging man, the lyrics speak to my lack of want as I get older to go out and do things, because well, I’m getting too old (for this shit). But my favorite part, is Venables transforming into the “devil on your shoulder” and imagining Jake as The Devil, crooning to borderline lounge/jazz music is a sight I need at a live show. Another song that’s been in the rotation for a while is the next song, ‘Drones’. Probably the heaviest song on the record, this is a fun moshy song that I would advise if you’re looking for a version of Osaka Punch with an edge, this is the tune for you.
‘Under the Influence’ gives probably the finest look at what Osaka Punch can do as a rock and funk fusion band. The bass on this track is absolutely filthy, and I adore all 2 minutes and 53 seconds of it. This song also has some of the best clean vocals I think Jake has ever put to tape. Oh, and the song has Limp Bizkit style scratch work on it. So it’s a certified banger. Closing the record is the almost five minute long instrumental track, ‘Hekyll and Jive’. The opening minute is a synth heavy assault to the ear drums, truly in the best way possible. The song spotlights each members individual skill with guitars, drum, keys, and bass respectively, which really give this song the right punch. I feel like I’ve heard a version of this song at shows before, but hearing it as a complete piece of music, feels like an amazing cap off to an amazing record.
Rating – 9.5/10
MIXED APE is out September 4.