9 o’clock Nasty – Cut (2021)
Never ones to shy away from controversial topics in their music, UK-based 9 o’clock Nasty bring serious messages to the fore in smile-inducing music. Ranging from grunge and indie-rock to punk and post-punk, the group are not to be pigeon-holed – seriously, not at all. While we have already sung their praises with our review for Growl, we are not alone in our enjoyment with coverage in Rising Artists Blog, Edgar Allan Poets, Mango Wave, Find No Enemy and various playlists. We’re happy to present some more stellar material in the form of Cut.
Following their three-track EP Growl (read our review here), Cut removes the funk-influenced 70s rock replacing it with an old-school punk/rockabilly sound. What I find enjoyable about Cut and all of 9 o’clock Nasty’s music is the fusion of different genres within a single track. The combination of pounding drums, hard-hitting guitars and gruff vocals in these singles gets your toe tapping, head bopping within a kaleidoscopic soundscape. As Indie Dock Music Blog notes, “…9 o’clock Nasty sounds casual and lively in their compositions. Their charm is in their desire to experiment with sound and creative material.”
In true punk-rock fashion, the three songs off Cut are brash, forceful and brutally honest. Beginning with ‘Dark Planet’, 9 o’clock Nasty draw you into a sonic whirlpool with bright colours swirling about in a hazy ambience. The slightly muted vocals act as a “voice inside your head” making you pay attention while trying to remain anchored in this musical forcefield. We then move on to ‘Gravy Train’ – a song filled with rockabilly beats, screeching guitar riffs and catchy choruses. Finally, ‘THX1138’ hits with pumped-up crescendos and a simple guitar outro that seems to wrap Cut off quite nicely.
In my review of Growl, I stated that listening to 9 o’clock Nasty is “…like being punched in the face after drinking several tequila shots.” – I maintain this statement and think it’s vodka shots with Cut. The brusqueness of the melody melds phenomenally with the provocative tongue-in-cheek lyrics. From the first second I heard 9 o’clock Nasty, I knew I was in for something special and Cut got my heart pumping in a wonderfully ear-bleeding way. Is ear-bleeding in a metaphorical sense wonderful? In this case, you’ll love it!
For more from 9 o’clock Nasty check out their official website, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Spotify.
