This is the second release from this young band out of Springfield, Illinois. On a seven-inch vinyl format it delivers five songs in total, which I absolutely love. The 7″ is still my favorite vinyl format of all.
No Guard operate within a fairly wide range of influences, with a sound that moves between hardcore, Oi!, and punk, while incorporating additional elements. The band’s lyrics are quite personal — the kind of writing where everyone can take something different away from it.
The EP opens with War Over Me, a track with a slightly somber atmosphere. Tempo changes and guitar leads that evoke bands like The Cure are contrasted with an urgent vocal delivery. The second song, Are We Clear, leans much more heavily into hardcore territory, including driving, punchy parts that push the song forward relentlessly. The guitar work speeds up here and works perfectly with the drums. With each repeated listen, this track stands out more and more for me, and I really enjoy its overall structure.
Side B kicks off with Numb Head and Lack, both of which are pure hardcore in terms of style. Numb Head is built around choppy riffs and tempo changes — the classic repetition of more aggressive sections interwoven with a more melodic line. The following track, Lack, is far more straightforward in its construction. According to the booklet, members of Conservative Military Image were involved in writing the song, and I’d say it shows — it fits their songwriting style perfectly. With repeated listens, both tracks naturally merge into a cohesive whole. Me And You is the standout track of the release and without a doubt its hit. A melodic, emotionally driven song that feels slower, built more on atmosphere and strong backing vocals that effectively complement the lead vocal.
According to the booklet, the guys in No Guard are still a relatively young band, and this EP is a very promising release. Most of all, I appreciate any band that has its own distinct sound, can write songs that don’t all blur into one another, and avoids endlessly recycling the same lyrical clichés. This EP is definitely worth a listen — and a spot in your collection.
TOP TRACKS: Me And You, Are You Clear
