Album Review: Wonk Unit – Terror

Spearheaded by songwriter Alex Johnson, Wonk Unit are a punk rock band from South London that formed back in 2006, the band have built a reputation on the underground circuit as one of the most entertaining and successful DIY bands out there, with a relentless touring, recording and release schedule that few bands can match. The latest release from Wonk Unit is Terror, their sixth studio album to date, that will be somewhat unsurprisingly accompanied by a hectic schedule of tour dates throughout the UK and mainland Europe.

 

Day Job Wanker is a fine start to Wonk Unit’s sixth full length, containing all the elements you’d expect and hope for from the London quartet, whilst Christmas In A Crack House brings a dark seasonal moment to the album that reminds me of the dark punk cabaret style of the Dresden Dolls, although this track is revisited in a more decibel heavy style at the end of the album in the form of Me And Curtis. Terror continues to weave it’s way through a variety of influences and styles, from punk rock and hardcore through to new wave and reggae, all of which manage to somehow be unmistakably Wonk Unit. It must be said that as well as the impressive sound track part of Wonk Unit‘s charm is Alex Johnson‘s unmistakable lyrical style, that is inspired equally by the everyday and mundane and by his journey through recovery from addiction.

 

Terror delivers a dozen slices of everyday life that deals with issues such as loyalty, jealousy, insomnia and drug addiction that is riddled with Alex Johnson’s trademark brand of indignation, contempt, brutal honesty and black humour. This is one of the most surprising album’s I’ve heard this year, lyrically and musically it manages to be angry, heartfelt, witty and brutally honest, whilst it won’t surprise anyone that Terror stays true to Wonk Unit‘s DIY roots what might surprise people is that with their sixth studio full length Wonk Unit have released their best album to date, and for me this is an album that really should be sitting amongst your collection come release day.

 

Terror will be available via the band’s own label, Plasterer Records, on CD, vinyl and digital formats from the 20th April and can be pre-ordered via Plasterer Records here and Bandcamp here