Stay Behind are a relatively new band from Norway, more precisely from the town of Hamar. Following their debut split with The Whalers, this EP marks their second release. It was self-released under the Bovver Beat Records banner and pressed on vinyl in three different colour variants: black, white and yellow. Musically, we’re dealing with mid-tempo Oi! / streetpunk built around catchy melodies, straightforward guitars and a proper punk attitude. If you’re into bands like Evil Conduct or Midnight Tattoo, with a touch of livelier beats thrown into the mix, you’re definitely in for a treat.

The opening track, Never Know, is an instant hit. The excellent melody and the way the song gradually builds up give it plenty of punch, while its slightly optimistic feel brings everything together perfectly. Even if this EP contained just this one song, I’d already be more than satisfied. The second track I Just Wanna Dance leans towards a punkier sound and comes across as a bit of an outsider’s love song. I’m sure we’ve all experienced this kind of night at some point, and I hope we all enjoyed it just as much. These are the sort of moments that stick with you, especially when you can revisit them later through some great music.

The second side also kicks off at a faster pace, this time with 4 AM. I’m pretty sure that the vast majority of us have, at some point, turned the opportunity to wander the streets at four in the morning in a slightly drunken state into reality. Driven by a straightforward punk beat, this track gives you the perfect chance to relive those moments and perhaps recall a few of your own late-night adventures. We finish things off with the proper bovver anthem Skinhead Got Soul. This one is pure bovver rock, built around choppy guitar riffs and an uncompromising rhythm.

I honestly have absolutely no idea where exactly Hamar is located in Norway, but I know exactly where I’ve put this EP on my shelf. The reason is simple: I’ve been spinning it on my turntable quite frequently lately. This is a very solid EP from a band hailing from a small town, and one that definitely has something to offer. I’m always happy to discover a band that’s still at the beginning of its journey but can already deliver a quality sound, catchy songs and a clear sense of musical direction. Stay Behind tick all those boxes perfectly.

TOP TRACKS: Never Know, Skinhead Got Soul