The Merseyside outfit encapsulate a very British brand of discontent on their new EP.
NEW MUSIC | EYESORE & THE JINX | ROB BROADBENT
This latest offering from Merseyside trio Eyesore and the Jinx is nothing short of a leathery fist to the chops – reminding listeners that bands who possess sonic grit and deliver incisive social commentary can and very much do, exist in the year 2020.
The opening two tracks, the previously released Nightlife and Leisure Time, take us from hedonistic seaside holidays to full-moon-meets-last-weekend-of-the-month-payday nights out in town (watch the Nightlife video, it’s From Dusk ‘til Dawn meets Morph on acid). Listen carefully as your lugholes grip onto the sides of a combustion engine consisting of scratching guitars, pacing drums and gritted teeth – the almost hypnotic four note bassline of the latter tune hammering home the painfully relatable and distorted monotony of it all.
Lyrically the EP is a cut above anything new you’ll hear at the moment. The second half of the four track release continues to encapsulate a very British brand of discontent. We step away from the relatability of weekend misery for the (nearly) eponymous track Dinner in the Exile Parlour, a semi-allegorical adventure into the darkest corners of the internet. On this track in particular we’re treated to the word choice of vocalist and lyricist Josh Miller, with lines that are viscerally delivered yet phonetically pleasing – “.. an anonymous online platform of the utmost exclusivity / where priority was given to preserving anonymity”, just one of many couplets that tickle the ear despite being rasped out with the energy of someone who is projectile vomiting.
After discussing lockdown with the band earlier this summer live on Boogaloo Radio I can’t help but enjoy the authenticity of the capping line “isolation is all the rage”, having been told they quite preferred being alone in this current period, it’s nice to hear the feeling made it onto the EP in some shape or form.
The Ballad of Big Joe (hello there cowbell) really is a fitting crescendo to the release, it’s a five minute journey and lyrical delight that takes us into the world of a disgraced politician (‘is he sounding familiar?’). By the time we get here it really feels as though thematically we’ve scratched away the dirt track by track, to reach the bottom (and thickest) layer. A huge ending brings the feeling of a chorus to the end of the tune, summed up in the final repeated line “entitlement is a cancer”.
It’s great to hear a band that’s a bit pissed off, it’s great to hear a band that’s sincere with it – and before I forget to mention – it’s great to hear a decent band led by a bassist (respect) – that’s three good reasons for you to buy this EP now, find it here. I will see you for a pint at the next Eyesore & the Jinx show.
hardofhearingmagazine.com 