Seattle-based quartet The Drowns, known for their combination of classic oi and punk music, have continually captivated audiences with their raw energy and passionate performances. After their debut album View From The Bottom and their second release Under Tension the 70s glam and bovver rock-outfit is back with their latest gem called Blacked Out,

The opening track, Banger, channels the energetic spirit of The Downs: catchy choruses, easy chord progressions and no-nonsense lyrics. After only one listen you’re able to sing along and that’s something not every band is capable of. The second song Ketamine & Cola is one of the most catchy songs on this album and stays in your head for the whole day. Awesome!

One of the songs that stand out is 1979 Trans Am: a more uplifting song accompanied by female backing vocals and a damn good chorus. Chancer showcases the more punky rock ‘n roll-side of The Drowns and Don’t Have A Job sounds more like a old school rocksong and is a pleasant change on the album.

Closing the album on a more sad note, Born To Die In NYC is totally different tracjk compared to the other songs on this album, featuring Rev accompanied solely by plaintive piano, reflecting on a life lived to the fullest without regrets.

It seems as if the band has taken a bit of a new direction: it all sounds a bit less raw and a bit more polished, but that doesn’t mean it sounds any less good. I can understand that fans of the ‘older work’ may have to get used to the more polished sound, but it is close enough to their older work not to speak of a break in style.

Blacked Out offers everything you’d expect from a punkrock band. Punkrock with a dash of Bovver rock makes a damn tasty cocktail…

Releasedate: 16-02-2024 | Label: Fat Wreck Chords | Instagram

Tracklist:
01. Banger
02. Ketamine & Cola
03. Dynamite
04. Just The Way She Goes
05. Blacked Out
06. Yob On A Rampage
07. 1979 Trans Am
08. All Charged Up
09. Chancer
10. Wheels
11. Don’t Have A Job
12. Born To Die In NYC