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Review: Birmingham Punks Broken Lungs release new EP; Cultural Decay


Broken Lungs are punk band from Birmingham, who have only been in the game for a about a year. Today they released their new EP; Cultural Decay, an EP dedicated to the injustices of the world. Angry liberal punks at their finest, touching on topics that are relevant to life in 2019. "It essentially refers to how our shared culture and sense of community is slowly dying, exemplified by the rise of a culture of ‘me’, a suspicion of others and a declining sense of empathy" Words by vocalist, Joe Jones.



The opening song on the 3 track; Sick to Death, comes straight at you with catchy riffs and a "1,2,3,4 Go!" by singer Joe Jones, with the opening statement of -"How do you sleep!" This song is my personal favourite on the EP, its catchy, fun and the lyrics portray hatred at the rich, conservatives who have no care for the poor. With lines such as- "Destroying lives that don’t exist in your mind, Another number that you forget, Additional digits on your pay check." Punk at its finest, catchy, fast paced and nice and simple! Just how I like it. The music is reminiscent of the likes of Every Time I Die and Gallows, with high screeched vocals and fast drum beats!


The next song is "Armed with Teeth," a powerful song that pulls you into its madness! The song pulls you in straight away with a catchy riff and chaotic drums. A more aggressive song than the first in terms of lyrics, with the structure and lyrics almost identical to Gallows! (not saying that's a bad thing) Armed with Teeth is short, angry and well written lyrically with imagery! "They feed with no hunger. But meat is always the prize" Much like the first track, its political, angry and unapologetically honest.



Balloons in Catacombs flows well after with its punchy drum beat and riff! The songs maintain the same structure and its works. I can tell the message of this band are the lyrics and the messages in their songs. The idea of 4 punks sharing a mutual discomfort for society, using their platform to stick up for the little guy! My particular favourite part of this song was- "Do you know what the worms will eat first? Head, shoulders, knees or toes. Who fucking knows? Do you know what the worms will eat first? Fuck knows." Followed by "You're just skin and bones" The idea that no matter where we come from we've all got the same bones and organs inside of us!


Cultural Decay is good honest punk, its been played safe and done well. However, I feel that risks could have been taken with this band, particularly with the sound they're going for. The songs are similar in structure and as I said above, hear a lot of Gallows influence! Its still early days, but their is room for growth and I am curious to what they do next! The music is available below!



By Sam Hennerley



 
 
 

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