Review Summary: I'm not dead yet but it's a start
In the realm of emo revival music it is always refreshing to see a new take on the overly saturated genre of copycat artists. In the case of JANK and their debut
Awkward Pop Songs, it wasn’t as if they found a way to break the mold, but it was more so that they were able to make an album that was naturally a blast to listen to. Unfortunately, due to their far from serious lyrics and hilarious online presence, JANK as a band faced the potential of becoming a gimmick. However, with their newest EP,
Versace Summer, they not only prove their staying power, but also hint at a maturation in sound.
Versace Summer is as much similar as it is different to the band’s first release. Matt’s jangly, mathy guitar is still at the forefront of the album, and his infectious riffs still power through on tracks like ‘Free Sam’ and ‘Alligator’. The lyrics to both of the aforementioned tracks are also a lot like its predecessor’s lyrics, carefree, whimsical and a bit ridiculous. They even found a way to fit in a hilariously amusing interlude yet again, as seen with the jazzy, ambient inspired song ‘Gucci Spring’. Despite this, some glaring differences can be found between the two releases. Firstly, the production on the album differs a lot from the fuzzy, rough, jam-inspired production on APS. Here we see songs that are sugar-coated with bubblegummy production that highlight the pop appeal the band effortlessly constructs. Along with this, JANK seems to include even more influences as seen with ‘General Tso What’s’ dreamy 80s inspired riffs that quickly develop into a mathy jam track, a highlight on the album. The title track is another standout and is clearly the most developed track, running at a little over 4 minutes, and is a perfect summer anthem with its grandiose, catchy chorus. The most promising change, however, are the inclusion of some semi-serious lyrics seen a bit in ‘Chunks (kool enuff)’ and especially in ‘Ralph…’ despite the absurdly long, overly descriptive title. JANK reveals that they are a band that can turn off the jokes while still maintaining the aspects that make them a project so many people adore. It may not be the perfect sophomore release, but it certainly is an encouraging sign for the Philly trio.
