This Oi! punk crew from the Netherlands appeared on the scene in 2005. In the following two years, they spat out two records and a split with Bottlejob. Then they disappeared for several years, only to return in full force in 2017. And in excellent form, which they have consistently maintained on all recordings they’ve released since. And there have been quite a few. This is actually the band’s sixth release since their comeback. On top of that, there was also a split with Conservative Military Image, where both bands covered a song by The Blitz.

Musically, this is a more energetic Oi! punk with two guitars. Within the Oi!/streetpunk spectrum, The Young Ones draw mainly from the rawness and drive of bands like Cockney Rejects or Sham 69 in their early years. A rough, lively, and spirited sound – that’s exactly what defines the band.

On this record, they present six original songs and add a cover of „Skinhead“ by The Strike. Everything is, as usual, sung in English. The opening track „Boots Still Stomp The Same“ is essentially representative of the sound of the whole record: rhythmically chopped vocals, backed by barking gang singalongs, all in an upbeat tempo where the bass runs like a machine and the two guitars create a cheeky, straightforward sound. This approach runs through the entire record – the band repeats a proven formula, sometimes with a stronger focus on group vocals, other times on punk guitars and fast-moving song structures.

Lyrically, The Young Ones touch on themes of aging („Boots Still Stomp The Same“), perseverance in everyday life battles („Here Come The Dogs,“ „Final Goal“), nights out with music („Last Call Army“), violence („Switchblade Steve“), and local identity („Dutch, But Not From Holland“). Their take on „Skinhead“ by The Strike fits their style perfectly.

The record is solid and includes strong songs, but I have to admit that after several listens, some tracks start to blend together. I’ve seen The Young Ones live several times, and at the last show (with La Inquisición in Prague), I even exchanged a few words with the guys. They’re friendly dudes who genuinely enjoy playing the music they live and breathe. And live is where their music hits the hardest – this material is perfect for a small club where the band’s energy and liveliness really shine.

The record was released through the traditional collaboration between Contra Records for Europe and Longshot Music for North America. It includes the lyrics to all original songs, and the artwork was created by Ramon Gironés.

TOP TRACKY: Boots Still Stomp the Same, Final Goal, Last Call Army