If you tried to blend early 80s and 90s punk like the Descendents, Screeching Weasel, and the Circle Jerks, with ska bands like Operation Ivy and perhaps a slight touch of Less Than Jake, you might end up with something that sounded a bit like Your New Drug. They are the first ska band I’ve experienced to come out of Scandinavia, and their drug-fueled songs conjure images of punks with mohawks crouched down in circle pits, moon stomping with elbows out to the steady doses of upstrokes, quick tempo short horn rhythms, and consistently stellar horn lines.
The first two tracks on the 4 songs EP were both previously released as singles, in “6 to 12 pack Habit” and “Opium”. “6 to 12 Pack Habit” has some solid horn lines that feel pretty two-tone with a bass line that carries throughout the song, and a chorus that begs the crowd to raise a fist and sing along. “Opium” is the slowest of the 4 tracks, but it also makes the best use of the keyboards on the album, which do a great job of carrying the rhythm while exploring the first experience with Opium on public transportation. The song features a fun and somewhat trippy instrumental portion for a bit of immersion.
The two new tracks for the album are “Future Policeman” and “Hofer”. These are the two more punk tracks on the album. These are the tracks that invoke heavy circle pits, with the keys and horns driving that circular rhythm, and in both tracks the vocals feel like they belong in an underground punk show, in an abandoned warehouse or strip mall. The rhythm of these two tracks is very comparable and they could almost pass for two parts of the same song. The primary difference is the screams of “Future Policeman” while “Hofer” has a chorus the begs for crowd participation that repeatedly chants “Let’s get fucked up” to the same rhythm that cheerleaders chant “Let’s go defense” to get throngs of fans to yell in unison at sporting events, all while gritty guitars play irresistible punk rhythms around ska upstrokes and the horns and keys keep feet and elbows in constant action on the dance floor.
Stay hydrated friends, because the drugs and the dancing are gonna keep you cooking with this one.
Written by Gimp Leg
