Don Broco are a band I consistently struggle with. I adore some of their tracks, I detest others. There is so much energy in some of their songs, whereas others merge into one another. Some songs are so filled with joy but some of their more serious tracks miss the mark. What are they? What are they meant to be? So many questions - so little time.
Despite my questions, I was excited for this release. The band have marketed this album brilliantly! "David Beckham" hacking their instagram and front man, Rob Damiani, becoming a boxer for first track of the album 'Gum Shield', it had me excited! The singles released for the album added to my excitement. 'Manchester Super Reds No.1 Fan' is a brutal track that is superbly produced. The mix of Damiani and Marr Donnelly's vocals are glorious and, when teamed with the violent guitar riffs and drum beats, you feel like you've been in a fight after listening. It was the ideal first single from the album.
But the more singles that came out, the more the sceptaeism began to grow. It wasn't misplaced either.
I like this album - it has some good tracks on it - but it is incredibly samey. You can see that they are experimenting with a new twist on their sound. It is more emphatic, more euphoric and they have to be praised for trying to elevate their sound, but I'm not sure it has worked. The second half of the album falls so flat with song after song merging into one, almost droney, noise.
Is that what people listen to Don Broco for? I would argue not. Don Broco are known for their monstrous guitar hooks, powerful beatdowns, whitty lyrics... and minus two or three tracks on this album, those things are lacking. Where is the chaos? Where is the energy? Where is the unrefined glory?
For example, let's look at 'Easter Sunday', the conclusion of the album. There is so much potential, an anthem waiting to explode, but it just doesn't. The song is so stretched and anti-climatic, perhaps as it is so similar to others in the second half of the album.
Thankfully, the record has a savage grace - one of the most Don Broco song of all time: 'Bruce Willis'. Maybe there is a more subtle lyrical message.. but for me, it's just a band that fucking love die hard. And that is what Don Broco should be.
They tried something new, it hit the post and bounced away. I admire some tracks here but mostly this fell flat. However, don't write of Don Broco. They're still one of the most exciting and enjoyable artists in the UK right now and there are a few songs here that will be classics for years to come.
Overall Rating: 5/10
Stand Out Tracks: Bruce Willis, Gumshield, Manchester Super Reds No.1 Fan.
Written By: Matthew Bird
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