It might not be the summer quite yet but giving its playlist an irresistible first addition is the new single from UK ska punks Imperial Leisure. To be fair, Animal is an incitement for any time of the year, any random two and a half minutes of any day. It is a circus of sound and fun, a carnival of 2-tone inspired ska, pop punk, and hip hop nurtured rock ‘n’ roll; together a distinctive mix creating the individual sound at joyful play within the band’s new gem.
Born out of school friendships, Imperial Leisure has blossomed in sound and reputation across three well-received albums; the last, Lifestyle Brand in 2015 drawing potent acclaim its way. Their live presence has equally honed the band’s music and craft, the band sharing stages with the likes of Ugly Duckling, Roots Manuva, UB40, Less Than Jake, Young Blood Brass Band, The King Blues, Sonic Boom Six and a great many more along the way as well as going down a storm at numerous festivals such as Glastonbury (twice!), The Secret Garden Party and Boomtown Fair. Each year has seen the sextet and its additional brass section rise higher on the British musical landscape; 2017 sure to be another mighty nudge on the biggest spotlights if Animal is anything to go by.
As guitars clip ears, brass flames flicker with flirtatious intent, their combined tempting soon colluding with the passion stoking pulse of the bass as well as the lick of ska seeded riffs and the intoxicating smooch of Hammond-esque keys. With the infectiously captivating vocals of Denis Smith stirring things up even more, the song bounds along with an irresistible swing and mischievous swagger. It is a wonderfully busy affair but every element and seductive flame a clean spice for a swiftly greedy appetite to devour in the whole insightful and instinctively catchy encounter.
It seems like ska and ska punk has the potential of having another heyday such the number of great bands around and emerging with Imperial Leisure leading the way, though all will have to go some to rival the sheer pleasure of Animal.
Animal is out now for downloading and streaming on all platforms with a vinyl release on April 1st.
https://www.facebook.com/imperialleisure
Pete RingMaster 17/03/2017
Copyright RingMaster: MyFreeCopyright
Formed in 2009, Counting Coins has grown a seriously anthemic fusion of ska, gypsy punk, swing, and hip-hop over the years. From their first pair of EPs, Take the Ride and Reach for the Sky in 2010 and 2013 respectively, the band has shown a creative tenacity that wakes up the instinct to romp and stomp. Their live presence has only increased their reputation, the sharing of stages with bands such as Random Hand, Sonic Boom 6, The New Town Kings, The Talks, Jaya the Cat, Babar Luck (ex-King Prawn), The King Blues, The JB Conspiracy, and Neville Staple adding to an increasingly acclaimed reputation. A few weeks back Don’t Look Down had bodies of fans and media jumping around physically and in praise, a repeated success well within the creative grasp of All That I Need.
The Hull hailing Counting Coins formed in 2009 and it seems took little time in exciting crowds locally before drawing broader attention through debut EP Take the Ride in 2010. With its successor, the Reach for the Sky EP three years later even more successful, the band were soon and hungrily since, lighting up venues across the UK and into Europe, sharing stages with the likes of Random Hand, Sonic Boom 6, The New Town Kings, The Talks, Jaya the Cat, Babar Luck (ex-King Prawn), The King Blues, The JB Conspiracy, and Neville Staple along the way. Equally performances at festivals such as Boomtown, Rebellion, Tramlines, Galtres, and Freedom Festival have only drawn acclaim and seen the band’s reputation gain momentum. With new single Don’t Look Down constantly in our ears alongside a retrospective investigation of Counting Coins, it is easy to see and hear why the quintet of vocalist Harry Burnby, guitarist/bassist Matty Dennison, bassist/guitarist Rob Green, drummer Sam Burnham, and trumpeter Will Chalk are so lustfully supported.
anthemic stroll, the song’s swagger as virulent as the brass flames and exotic keys colouring it. There is a punkish air to the vocals which again reminds of The Members whilst the punchy rhythms consume the vivacious dance of the encounter like an epidemic. The track is aural addiction, a breath-taking protagonist of body and emotions leaving a tall order for the following Tear Us Apart to match up to. With sultry keys and warm harmonies its first breath, the song is soon stirring up ears and imagination with its reggae bred enterprise and melodic summer. It mesmerises with its caressing canter of sound, reminding of fellow Brits Shanty as it floats and immerses the senses in its mouth-watering adventure.
emotion drenched squalls of Percival wail in the back ground. As expected from the band on past experiences, it is a dramatic entrance but one which regroups into a restrained and melody kissed persuasion which still retains its raw edge but seduces rather than demands attention. It is a riveting enticement, the dark throat of the bass almost prowling the senses, though without menace, whilst guitars and rhythms keep imagination and appetite busy. Intensity and energy all the time are building their intent though, biding their time until the fiery chorus where everything is ablaze with passion and emotive colour. It is a thrilling encounter which finds a band never short on invention anyway, exploring and interlocking stronger varied textures and washes of sound than ever before. The song is thoroughly infectious and evocatively poetical, Percival’s vocals providing potent and at times emotionally desperate feeling hues to further light up the whole narrative.
The release contains your two singles Collapse and This Is Britain, both seemingly gained the tag infamous from a great many. Tell us about both of the powerful and lyrically volatile songs.
