by Tim Buck (@aidmoozic)
As an artistic and cultural phenomenon, punk rock has traversed numerous incarnations over the last five decades. While not all of these manifestations have endured the test of time, the genre's inaugural emergence in the 1970s remains a perennial fixture within music history. To this day, punk rock still continues to inspire new artists; one being London trio Luxury Apartments, whose approach to music adheres to minimalism and strict DIY ethics. One might contend that these elements are foundational to the essence of punk.
After some years working the London venue circuit, their self-titled debut album is finally here. It has certainly prompted anticipation, as the band is now tasked with differentiating themselves from scores of other bedhead-riddled punk bands. Have they achieved such a feat? We posit that they have, and the methodology behind it all is simply a case of taking things back to basics.
The album kicks off with the title track "Luxury Apartments" and there's a clear sense of noncompliance from the outset; grating, treble-heavy guitar staggers at a lethargic pace before everything launches into an intense, head-banging onslaught. Raw energy is immediately palpable and further punctuated by Matt Turner's scratchy, yelled vocal and a guitar line that sounds like it's being played wrong on purpose - a wonderfully cathartic way to start things. The track concludes with a recorded call to the UK Government's Universal Credit. A customer service representative answers with a distinct Scottish accent, seamlessly transitioning us into the next track, "Outside Looking In". Here we see more attention paid to melody. This will subtly reoccur throughout the rest of the album, revealing Luxury Apartments' adeptness at doing—dare I say—catchy tunes.
Ultimately though, it is their stubborn, uncompromising spirit that serves as a reminder that this is all as much about attitude as it is about musicianship. "Energy" begins with a lightweight, descending major scale riff before gradually evolving into something more foreboding. There's a creeping tension to it, drawing us into a darker landscape. Conversely, the hyper-kinetic, fast-cut guitar intro of "Wire" has the unpolished sprightliness of early Parquet Courts, capturing that slacker-punk spirit. A straightforward kick-snare drumbeat keeps the track's momentum flowing. Turner delivers his lyrics with a snarling belligerence, expelling each syllable with the intensity of someone who just chewed on something rancid. His vocal has an enduring vitality that gives a gratifying boost to the aggression.
Luxury Apartments' debut epitomizes punk in its most authentic form. It is distilled, unfiltered and purist, free from any unnecessary embellishments that might dilute its impact. Enthusiasts who yearn for that punk ethos of the late 1970s will undoubtedly perceive it as a breath of fresh air, for the fact it prioritizes genuine expression over all else. Simplicity and directness are the name of the game. If it ain't broke, well, you know...