Words: Linn Branson
If you think Dublin-based alt-punk rockers V98 have a touch of Fontaines D.C about them, you wouldn't be far wrong - and not just in recording their debut EP, 'PRESSGANG' (out today, November 8), with Dan Doherty from Darklands Audio, who also worked with FDC., but also in their strident delivery, boisterous guitar melodies and lyrical strength taking on frustrations of societal pressures and expectations.
However, there is a lot more to this four-piece that is likely to become a force in 2020.
Take the enormously gratifying 'Gracious, for example, the follow up cut to gritty single 'Conversation Killer". Built on a raft of rumbling guitars and husky Irish vocal tones from Darragh Geoghegan that engage the ear and entice the senses, it is described as "probably the closest thing we have to a political song” by guitarist Conor Healy.
He adds that 'Gracious' is "about hypocrisy and the ugliness of public shows of 'charity' and when people do good things purely to be seen doing them. You know, do you really actually care about helping someone or are you just making sure that you're covering your own arse?"
This really does start worming its way into your head before you're halfway done, and as you start off liking it, you end up simply in love.
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