Goodluck Jonathan- This Is Our Way Out EP
You may be surprised to see that the President of Nigeria has released an EP. Sorry to burst your bubble, but it's actually a different Goodluck Jonathan in question here. 'What, really?' Yes, really. Unless the aforementioned African statesman has suddenly turned into bunch of young men from Brighton.
Their musical manifesto for the 'This Is Our Way Out' EP as per press release, is one for 'punchy...edgy math-Rock songs that build from introspective melodic angst moods into driving infectious chanted choruses'. With the math-rock kingdom being led to dizzying heights of glory by the likes of 65Daysofstatic and Forward Russia, before finding itself taken down the more commercial route by young scamps like Foals and Minus The Bear; this can be quite a cumbersome genre to tackle. I admit, I wasn't sure how this band would fare in such a creative minefield... it can be so easy to step on the hidden dangers of pretension and/or dullness. So, how did they do?
Not bad.
Opening track 'Bruises Disappear' makes for a very well placed opener, easing the listener into the tone for the whole record. Although, I have to say, the first thing that sprung to mind with the lo-fi narration at the start of the song was a chunk of dialogue from a Noel Fielding character on the radio series of 'The Mighty Boosh'. There will probably be only a handful of people who will know what I mean...and whether this is a positive or negative is open to debate. But stick with it and we get quite an atmospheric crash of technically pleasing and tension-mounting sound, and a very regional vocal thats not too distant from Orlando Weeks of The Maccabees.
'Stranded' is the most memorable of the the EP, and potentially the most radio-ready. There is a sense of the catchier guitar riff becoming ingrained on the brain, albeit through the power of repetition. Hey, it worked for 'The Macarena'. Lyrically, the themes of angst and frustration continue, but are delivered in an understated and whine-free fashion by frontman Nick Brookes. 'Broken Heart' is the highlight of the album, a signature riff and frenzied drumming with cymbal smashing whipping up a furious and impressive sound. Completed with the power of drifting echoed vocals into the choruses and a smart little breakdown, it is a well rounded track. In fact, at times it reminded me of a meatier distant relative of an early Circa Survive. Sans vocal, obviously. That aint really a thing any other band should adopt.
The EP becomes bookended with statements as it closes on 'Light Burns My Eyes', another technically solid track. There is a real feel for the band as musicians really letting themselves go within their sound. The drumming of Sam Jenkins being something to draw attention to here, given his beats are definitely not just a backdrop, but a defined feature in the creative output of Goodluck Jonathan.
Altogether, Goodluck Jonathan have produced a decent EP here. When the momentum gathers and the band as musicians deliver at full-pelt, we have some really quite interesting suggestions of what they are capable of. The 'regional vocal' trend serves well for them and gels as another 'instrument' in their sound. However. There is a real sense of something lacking. Perhaps it just needs a little more to it. At the minute, we're in chicken sandwich minus mayonnaise territory. Don't get me wrong, I love a chicken sandwich. I can take, and happily eat one. I just think having a bit of mayo makes it that much better. Here, we have a band on the brink of cultivating a sound with the potential for something special. But I'm sure by giving it a couple of years, they will find their mayo.