Album Review: Stöj Snak’s new album Life, Death, and Everything in Between-Release date October 23, 2020
Attention Rock At Night-ers! Those that love Flogging Molly, Gogol Bordello, or any kind of folk punk are going to be over the moon when they listen to Stöj Snak’s new album Life, Death, and Everything in Between. Released through BandCamp on October 23rd, I am so glad to have discovered this band’s music!
Founded in Denmark in 2012, Stöj Snak will lift your spirits with their pop punk sound of pop punk vocals, guitar, double-bass, clunky trash instruments, and lyrics which offer a biting look at societal woes and life in the Millennium. Ironically, it is the perfect album for 2020!
The album starts off with lead singer Niels Højgaard Sørensen’s raspy yet woefully melodic acapella voice singing “Reasons to Smile”, which takes on almost a Gaelic, old-timey feel. The organ enters before segueing into the second song, a full-blown pop punk extravaganza called “Trees”. Acute political commentary is abound as Sørensen sings
“We vote for changes and bright promises/
but only those promises seem to change/
we call the bluffs and we demand some truth/
so we’re fed with it till we choke on it.”
“The (not so) Great Depression” has fast-paced percussive accompaniment with full on bass and wash boards packing a pop-punk punch! Other tunes “Wants/Needs”, “Sensible Utility”, “The Condition” all are similar, using a slew of instruments, including melodika, mandolin, guitars, and probably anything percussive the band could rummage. Really, the music sounds like Mumford & Sons on crack—and I’m lovin’ what I am hearing!
“Drink From the Well” is a fun, singalong, societal commentary as is “Songs About Beliefs”, which is low and mournful, as Sørensen relays,
I used to be hopeful that if we kept believing then all of these mountains could be turned around
Once our generation became cops and politicians then we would make a difference and make the world change
But ideals turn to hope and hopes turn to dust, and it gets in your eyes and it gets in your thoughts
Now the names and faces have changed but somehow all of the shit piles up exactly the same…
It makes me wonder about life in Denmark now? It has a reputation of having a high quality of lifebut perhaps it is just the same as everywhere else?
You owe it to yourself to give Stöj Snak a listen or check out some of their videos. Their new album has full punk attitude with a retro folk twist, but exceedingly fresh.
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I grew up in a household full of rock music, studied journalism in college, and then became a scientist.Although my science career has served me well, music has always played a major role in my life. I grew up reading "Creem" magazine; I play several musical instruments as a "hobby";and it seems a camera has always been in my hand. Now, I am combining what I love the most--music and photography--serving as editor of Rock At Night. I travel between the US and UK seeking my dream! My motto: life is short...no regrets. Chyrisse
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