‘We Are Nots’, the debut from the Memphis four-piece Nots, makes the most of its air of familiarity, one that will comfort those craving new blood in the lo-fi punk scene while still yearning for the sounds of its pioneers.
Insect Eyes smacks of the Cramps with its trundling bassline, swirling guitars and urgent vocals but there are also parallels to be drawn with L7, which become more prevalent on Decadence.
In fact, comparisons are difficult to escape throughout. Nots wear their influences on their collective sleeve and this is a band who would have likely slotted in with ease on a Bikini Kill bill in the early ‘90s.
Despite checking in at only 26 minutes, it’s not a good sign that ‘We Are Nots’ feels like it sticks around for much longer. Things start lagging on Strange Range which, despite Alexandra Eastburn’s best synth efforts, is where the repetitive choruses lose their anarchic charm.
Get Along tries to kick start the momentum, though, and shows just how messy Nots can get without coming undone. The “la la la la la” chorus only adds to the realisation that this band are not going to win a lyric writing contest any time soon.
On paper Nots have it all: the riotous vocals of Kathleen Hanna, the unapologetic nature of Babes In Toyland and musical prowess of the Cramps. But nostalgia and namechecks aside, they fail to put their own stamp on an already established sound.
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