No See Ums – Flags (2024)
If Queens of the Stone Age were to have a lovechild with Radiohead, the chances are likely No See Ums would be that kid. Combining the talents of The Qwarks’ Phil Johnstone (vocals and guitar) and Nick Flowers (drums) with Daffodildos’ Jax Burley (bass), No See Ums is a bold slice of grunge and punk twirling in a sonic whirlpool. Breathing life into the sounds of 90s and early-2000s rock, the UK-based threesome shimmers with nostalgic fancy wrapped in a contemporary rock sheen. Formed a few years ago, No See Ums is one of the good things to come from the Covid-19 lockdowns, like a renewed lax approach to walking outside in your pyjamas because no one really cares anymore. Join us as we delve into their debut single ‘Flags’.
Released on the independent label Not Saints, ‘Flags’ encapsulates No See Ums’ fearless exploration of provocative and often avoided social narratives. When listening to the lyricism, one might assume the song to be about scandalous, lecherous and slight dodginess of inappropriate references to a partner; however, profoundness lies beneath with a conceptual element breaking through the “red, white and blue”. Phil Johnstone explains:
“Many people notice that there’s a crisis in Britain, there’s this undercurrent of nationalism that’s returned. The protagonist in the song… it sounds like he’s talking about a woman in a very inappropriate way, and it’s only later do we find out it’s about the Union flag.”
In a brash and brutally honest manner, No See Ums tackle sociopolitical situations with fervour. ‘Flags’ is a “story of obsession under a magnifying glass of perversion, diving deep into the right-wing world of unreasoned patriotism…” For me, however, it is the crashing melody that rips the proverbial band-aid off a wound. Pounding drums crash against a bold bass with scorching guitars slicing throughout the track. Harmony exists in the insanity, but melodic distortion prompts a sense of discomfort pushing the provocative issue through the tune.
In addition to the single, No See Ums released an official music video for ‘Flags’. You can view it below or on Not Saints’ YouTube channel. Please note that this video uses lighting effects that can trigger seizures in people with photosensitive epilepsy. Viewer discretion is advised.
Find out more about No See Ums on their official website, Facebook, Instagram and Spotify.
This artist was discovered via Musosoup #sustainablecurator
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