The gang of gorillas from Sweden recently gave us an interview, so if you’re interested in their story and approach to music, I recommend starting there. So far, the band has released all their recordings as seven-inch singles with four tracks each. For those who—like me—missed their original releases, there’s now a chance to get a compilation. It was released through a collaboration between TKO Records for the USA and Gorilla City Records for Europe. The compilation includes 14 songs, so it’s not a complete discography. And to give collectors something to dig into, there are even two versions, differing in both the final track and the cover. The European version includes the song Paul The Guru, while the American version features Like A Clock. I went for the European one—so my copy includes the track dedicated to Paul Bearer of Sheer Terror. The release is beautifully done: a gatefold vinyl with all the lyrics, which I really appreciate.
I’ve always had Kong Kong partially pegged as a tongue-in-cheek project combining punk, Oi!, and power pop. But what dominates is a slower-paced punk/power pop blend, complemented by keyboards, saxophone, and female vocals. Every now and then, though, they take a complete detour—like the rap section in the track Steal It All. There are outright humorous songs here, such as Heroes Gone Were Never Heroes At All, but surprisingly often the mood turns serious. Some tracks are almost melancholic, full of inner struggles—like I Don’t Live Up Well To Expectations or Down With Me. And then there’s an ironic punch like I Act Like I’m Tough, overflowing with sarcasm. I also appreciate that Kong Kong don’t shy away from current events: the song The Brave People is dedicated to the people of Mariupol.
This primate world is, musically, an unexpectedly rich place, where the rough growl of a gorilla male alternates with power-pop female choruses. Punk here flows into sounds that might appeal even to fans of The Cure, only to morph again into an experimental synth mix blended with street-punk chants. Eventually, I realized there’s no point trying to pigeonhole this band. It’s enough that lately I’ve found myself suspiciously often wanting to throw this primate crew on the turntable and let them run wild. For purists, this will probably be „not punk enough“ (like everything that doesn’t make the windowpanes rattle), but for me it’s a very welcome change and a refreshing addition to what I usually listen to.
Some time ago I also noticed a playlist on Spotify called Gorilla City Hits Hard—a rotating selection of twenty tracks. And I can only recommend it. Great work, interesting songs, and since it’s curated by the Swedish primates themselves, quality and taste are guaranteed.
TOP TRACKY: Heroes Gone Were Never Heroes At All, Empire, Gorilla Skin, The Brave People
