Sometimes a band comes along and makes it abundantly clear just how much they love music. They’re tight, consistent, and bring together a handful of staple influences that make them feel timeless and fresh all at once. That’s how I felt when I first heard New Junk City. Something about “Rosey,” the first song shared with me by our very own Bo at The Indy Review, just made me feel like it was a song I’ve heard a million times before. And yet, I wanted to listen to it more and more. I feel that very way still with their new release, Where Could I Go?, due out via Lauren Records Nov. 6th.
The Atlanta punk rockers have been compared to pretty much every flavor of the genre you can think of. People draw lines to Green Day, The Weakerthans, Gin Blossoms, and just about every derivative in between. I think the Gin Blossoms influence is undeniable, but I realized during opening track, “Big Bed,” that trying to place New Junk City in a specific lane is irrelevant. What they’ve done, particularly on this new LP, is create a sound that’s familiar enough to welcome new listeners but interesting enough to keep you engaged for more. I tried to cut up “Big Bed” a thousand different ways to figure out what was most prominent to me in this urgent anthem. I tried to do that analysis more and more throughout my listen and where I landed with it is that it really doesn’t matter. “Big Bed,” like the rest of Where Could I Go?, comforts like an old friend, is curious like a new one, and is a downright headbanger of a listen.
Where Could I Go? picks up where their last release, Beg a Promise, left off. It has high energy, maintains a level of catchiness, is incredibly heartfelt, and is rich in texture. It’s an album that instantly bounces around your head even after just one listen. Standout tracks include the angsty single “Lonely Now,” the indie-rock singalong “Long Way,” and the acoustic closer “The End.”
An album that doesn’t overstay its welcome, Where Could I Go? explores more than just fast-paced, punk anthems. My favorite part of this record is the two-song centerpiece, “For So Long” and “Coffee & Peppermint.” The two tracks blend into one another, sharing some riffs along the way. I’m a sucker for callbacks, especially if you bring back a guitar part as a subtle nod to a previous track of yours. This little medley sits as a thematic anchor for an album built on some relatable realities of the human experience. It shows the band didn’t just set out to make another handful of rock bangers but also put some thought and care into their composition.
Where Could I Go? has a little something for every lover of punk and rock. New Junk City has mastered their own sound while still carrying the influence of the genre staples that shaped them. It’s the kind of record that feels nostalgic from the first listen but gives you plenty of reasons to come back and discover more. Give it a spin, and I’m almost certain you’ll find something to love.
Where Could I Go? is out everyone on November 6th. Check out the “Lonely Now” below:
