bilk - Essex, Drugs And Rock And Roll 
Release Date: 24th January 2025
Lads! Lads! Lads! It's time for a proper night out and for that we need some proper music so, I present to you, the new album by bilk. 'Essex, Drugs And Rock And Roll' is the brilliantly titled second album from the trio and from the get-go we are on our way to party town. 'RnR' is not a song about rest and relaxation as the gurning guitars and driving drums are like a blend of the Darkness and Jet before the vocals join in with a Jamie T-esque estuary twang to complete the picture. On 'Slag' there is a poppier feel, as if Busted had got rid of the major label shackles and embraced their inner promiscuity. The rumbling bass intro of 'On It' is a dirty, sexy call to arms which leads into a song that would be what LMFAO sounded like if they'd honed their art in a lock-up in Billericay drinking cans of Skol.
If you haven't twigged by now, this isn't album of introspective musings or shoegaze melancholy, this pay day Friday nights out distilled into three minute blows to the senses. That said, 'Summer Days' is a slightly slower and more dreamy number that will have sing-a-longs kicking off in the front row and fans for life falling in love with the band. 'Go' gets us back on the lash with some crashing cymbal action and a wall of guitars before 'Skidmark' gives us a little acoustic ditty that hides its power in the lyrics so if someone has pissed you off then send them this one. Former single 'F Up' has a hooky and infectious riff that is prime radio fodder were it not for the lyrics that open with "just woke up, my head is fucked" like an indie-rock Dizzee Rascal.
There's strong Britpop B-side energy on the lilting melody of 'Very Nice Life' while 'Tommy' is a more mature and urban sounding track that hangs off a persistent bass line. There is more than a hint of the Libertines on 'Beatriz', a strummed love song played with a raw ease that is instantly charming. The furious energy of 'This Room Is Caving In On Me' is a brilliantly representation of the fizzing chaos you get in your head when you have so much you could do that you end up rejecting all options available - been there, felt that, slept in the T-shirt.
Penultimate track 'Turning Pages' has a charming naivety to it but also the melodies to be likened to the Kooks at their peak. The album finishes incredibly strongly on the blues stomp of 'Band Life Blues' which will appeal to a range of generations to such an extent that I can see Jools Holland jamming with the band on Later. I'm not going to say this is the best album of 2025 but, in terms of spirit, hooks, energy and raw talent, it is definitely one of the most exciting which makes it worth paying attention to. Also the lads are heading on a hefty tour which is bound to be a lot of fun so get to a show if you can [insert my standard grumble about bands gigging in Prague but not managing to get any further west than Bristol].
More information: https://www.facebook.com/bilkbandpage
Live Dates: