Just you wait till you hear the rest of the album.
If ‘Near To The Wild Heart Of Life’ really didn’t get you excited for one of music's most melodic and powerful duos’ return then wait till you hear ‘No Known Drink Or Drug’. Japandroids have a special ability to entrench everyone before them in noise and melody without one compromising the other, not to mention lyrics that somehow make the listener feel as if they’re being sung solely to and about them.
The magic that can be found in an urgent guitar line consisting of just four chords and pounding drums is bloody amazing. Add in the production that takes the song into ghost-like territory - perfect for the perspective of looking back at the beginnings of a relationship - and you have a real winner.
The song takes over and then simply falls away, seemingly leaving you deserted but somehow safe and yearning for more. Just you wait till you hear the rest of the album; it’s one hell of a ride. For now just sit back and get that repeat button doing over time.
Steven Loftin
