Brighton-hailing, jazz-punk outfit Opus Kink have unleashed their new single ‘I’m A Pretty Showboy’, a release that has been well-anticipated in the run-up to their headline gig at London’s very own Electric Ballroom this November. The group’s lead, Angus Rogers, has described the track as “a song about contempt, appetite, impotence and self-preservation through gyration”. The track emblazons their signature sound with its lyrical impish whimsy and capricious brass.
The track opens with a repetitive guitar motif, creating a menacing country feel, which is further depicted in their equally dark music video. This motif is accompanied by dramatic sighs from frontman Angus Rogers, before evolving into the grungy bassline that carries us through the track. We then hear the group’s signature brass sounds alongside this bassline, contributing to their iconic jazz influences. Their eclectic use of the saxophone and trumpet emulates a feeling of decadence, which is prominent in their lyrics: “if you’ve got my milk from me/ and a teaspoon of honey/ the first little taste is always free/ and if you wanna feel better, better get on your knees”.
These vocals persist through the track, before exploding into a dissonance of yelps and cries, something that a seasoned listener of the group has come to expect from their music. The track then takes a swerve as the group begins to sing together, but this time in more hushed vocals which appear to dwindle to one final “but I’m a pretty showboy/ I don’t want to be free” before once again rising to a wild saxophone and drumbeat.
It’s refreshing to see a group such as Opus Kink produce endless high-energy music that sounds so unique in comparison to what we are used to hearing. Their erratic, yet ingenious sound spotlights them as a band to watch out for, as they creep towards domination of the UK’s punk soundsphere.
Words by Victoria Ruck
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