I have problems with pop music. Not with the messages, goodness no. Nor is it an aversion to catchy and infectious beats that Dr. Dre came up with years ago. It’s not even a music snob reason, as if I think pop is too mainstream and I want to be different and hip and wear scarves when it’s not cold outside. No, my main problem with pop is that it’s too damn overwhelming. Pop is all over the radio, taking up airtime that could be used to broadcast other under-represented genres of music. My other problem is with the widespread prevalence of the auto-tune. I hate the auto-tune. It’s like a robot taking a dump in my ears. So, when a great band shows up, throws down a ridiculously awesome debut album (without the auto-tune), and barely anybody even notices, it’s just a shameful waste of extraordinary talent.
Enter New Politics, a Danish alternative-rock trio that has passed under the radar for far too long without real commercial recognition. Sure, they had an advertisement on MTV for approximately two days, and sure, their feature single “Yeah Yeah Yeah†is in a Dell commercial, but I’m willing to bet serious moolah that very few people have gone out and searched for the album in response to these commercial nudges. I, myself, managed to snag the only copy at Rasputin’s, so that says a lot right there about how little media spotlight has shined on the debut album.
Self-titled and released in the ancient times of July 2010, this album will blow your mind. Have you ever listened to Rage Against the Machine and thought, “Gee, these guys are really angry� Well, you should probably listen to New Politics even if you haven’t. New Politics is less strident guitar riffing, less socio-political commentary with dissident undertones, and certainly less angry than Rage, but it’s my closest comparison since there aren’t too many similar sounds to the Danish rockers. The vocals are somewhat similar to Rage in that it sounds like the lead singer, David Boyd, is yelling a little too close to the microphone, but it sounds unique and melodic. New Politics really separates itself from the aforementioned band with a strangely effective blend of rock, rap, punk, and dance rhythms.
I may not be able to stress it enough, but this whole album is entirely listenable, a trait that I feel is highly redeemable in today’s music industry. Very often an album is developed with two or three good songs and the rest is filler. This is not so in the case of New Politics.
The album starts off with “Yeah Yeah Yeah,†a rip-roaring step into new territory and the first single off of the album. This song will grab your attention and keep it with amped vocals, rhythmic guitar shreds, and a steady beat to bang your head to. Head banging will become a recurring phenomenon throughout the New Politics experience, even though the sound is less loud-for-the-sake-of-loud than one might expect.
Next, at track number two, is the album’s other single, “Dignity.â€Â This song commences with a subdued pace, but quickly turns into a melodic jam that features surprisingly poignant lyrics. Albums usually falter after their singles, but believe me when I say the rest of the album is just as strong. With especially impressive tracks like “Burn†and “New Generation,†it’s easy to see how consistent New Politics is on delivering hits and rocking hard.
New Politics is catchy and new without being gimmicky and repetitious, something that should be applauded by the public, not ignored. They have exploded onto the music scene with a highly original and astounding debut album that should not be missed, regardless of preconceived musical preferences. I encourage you, the reader, to get on iTunes or go to the music store right away. Otherwise, you’ll feel shamed by the music snobs when the second album comes out and you weren’t already driving the bandwagon of good taste.
