Track of the Day: Tokeo – King Of The Town
Not just another indie band riding the waves of Manchester’s rock music scene, Tokeo smashes out with their gritty, harsh and brash music. Unafraid to touch on provocative topics, the UK-based five-piece explores the “stark realities of life amongst Manchester’s forgotten mill towns…” with a barebones, raw and in-your-face sound. Featured on RGM, The Punk Site, and various playlists, Tokeo are reaching audiences across the globe. The latest addition to their discography is the single ‘King Of The Town’.
Blending robust post-punk with rock and tinges of rap, Tokeo has an entirely unique sound that is purely Tokeo. Hot on the heels of their single ‘Bleak Moors’, ‘King Of The Town’ continues to lift the veil on an existence many prefer to ignore. While many people focus on the “realities” fed to us on social media viewing them as the most important aspect of life, Tokeo point to the pressures facing wider areas attacking small-town syndrome. In this new single, the lads boil over and release their angst through bold melodies and powerful lyricism.
What I find particularly interesting about Tokeo and ‘King Of The Town’ is not the alternative rock vibes woven into a post-punk meets rap sound, but rather the harmony of the track. A dystopic slice of angst, ‘King Of The Town’ is slightly tongue-in-cheek with punk sentiments matching the rough melody. Moreover, the lads find a delicate balance between rough pissed-off honesty with an elegant punk-inspired melody. It is as if there is an underlying flow to the song despite the raw attitude along the surface of ‘King Of The Town’.
Brash and moving, ‘King Of The Town’ captures the frustration, disappointment, anxiety and anger felt by the masses in its sound; however, it is also a cathartic capsule allowing them to scream out about the challenges facing UK citizens today. The UK may be on a downward spiral into a desperate mire, but at least one song from an annoyed band can help ease the tension a tiny bit.
For more from Tokeo, check out their Facebook and Spotify.
This artist was discovered via Musosoup #sustainablecurator
