No Sugar’s Rock ‘n’ Roll Isn’t Boring, It’s You is a fiery punk rock record that blends garage, anarcho, and grunge influences with an undeniable rock ‘n’ roll attitude. Hailing from Hamburg, Germany, No Sugar isn’t just another band pumping out high-energy riffs, they’re wielding their music as a weapon of sociopolitical criticism. This full-length debut is a follow-up to their 2018 cassette Wasting Time with Rock’n’Roll, and it sees the band fully embracing their chaotic, confrontational sound. They channel the intensity of bands like L7, Babies In Toyland, Surfbort, Amyl and the Sniffers, or maybe Bikini Kill while bringing their own unique punk ethos to the forefront. Right from the start, Rock ‘n’ Roll Isn’t Boring, It’s You grabs you by the collar and refuses to let go. The energy is relentless, with each track offering a new burst of raw, unfiltered punk fury. No Sugar clearly thrives on the messy, sweaty energy of garage punk, but there’s a sharpness to their songwriting that keeps the chaos contained. The album is full of hook-laden riffs and catchy choruses, yet it never loses that rough-edged, DIY spirit that makes punk rock so appealing.
The title of the album itself, Rock ‘n’ Roll Isn’t Boring, It’s You, feels like a manifesto. It’s a declaration that punk rock is alive and well, and if you’re not feeling it, the problem lies with you, not the music. No Sugar is out to prove that rock ‘n’ roll can still be dangerous, fun, and deeply subversive. The album exudes confidence, swagger, and a bit of bitterness, like it’s pushing back against anyone who’s ever dared to write off punk as irrelevant or passé. Musically, the band pulls from a wide range of influences, and it shows in the variety of sounds you hear throughout the record. There’s the raw, stripped-down grit of garage rock, the sneering rebellion of anarcho-punk, and even shades of grunge’s heavier, more brooding tones. Tracks like “Time’s Up” and “Friends Like You” hit hard with fast-paced, distorted guitars and pounding rhythms that drive home the urgency of the music. The simplicity of the structures gives the songs a directness, making every riff and shout land with full force. One of No Sugar’s greatest strengths is their ability to make music that’s not only rebellious but also irresistibly fun. Songs like “I Don’t Know” have that danceable, rock ‘n’ roll groove that gets under your skin, while still delivering lyrics that immediately get to the point. The band strikes a perfect balance between fun and fury, crafting songs that make you want to throw a fist in the air and shout loud. Vocally, there’s a sneer that runs through the whole album, a kind of bratty defiance that fits perfectly with the lyrical content. The singers has a delivery that feels confrontational but never overbearing. It’s punk through and through, with a tone that’s equally playful and aggressive, as if the band is having the time of their lives while flipping off the establishment.
Lyrically, Rock ‘n’ Roll Isn’t Boring, It’s You is full of the kind of sociopolitical criticism you’d expect from a band rooted in the anarcho-punk tradition. But No Sugar delivers their messages with a sharp sense of humor and irony, making their critiques feel less like lectures and more like rallying cries. They tackle everything from capitalist greed to societal conformity, but they do it with a snarl and a wink, keeping things light enough to remain accessible without losing the weight of their message. Many tracks on this album poke fun at the addictive, self-obsessed nature of modern online culture. The lyrics cut through the noise with sarcastic lines that feel almost too real, all while the band rips through a grungy, fuzzed-out guitar riffs that sticks with you long after the song ends. Another standout track is “Can’t Help My Generation,” a song that perfectly captures the album’s central theme of rejecting the mundane in favor of something louder, messier, and more meaningful. The band’s raw, garage-punk instrumentation and the singer’s venomous delivery turn the song into an anthem for anyone who’s ever felt trapped by society’s expectations. It’s a rallying cry against the mundane, with No Sugar urging listeners to embrace the chaos of rock ‘n’ roll. Throughout the album, the production is intentionally rough around the edges, maintaining that gritty, lo-fi aesthetic that’s essential to this kind of music. It’s not polished, and it’s not supposed to be. The rawness only adds to the intensity, making it feel like you’re right there in the room with the band, experiencing the music as it’s being torn apart and reassembled. Every feedback-laden guitar riff and snare hit feels immediate and visceral, pulling you deeper into the music’s chaotic energy.
In terms of pacing, the album is a whirlwind. Clocking in at just under 30 minutes, Rock ‘n’ Roll Isn’t Boring, It’s You doesn’t waste time. The songs are short, punchy, and to the point—just like good punk rock should be. There’s no filler, no dragging moments. Instead, each track barrels into the next, creating a sense of momentum that builds as the album progresses. By the time it’s over, you feel like you’ve been hit with a rush of adrenaline that leaves you buzzing. Ultimately, Rock ‘n’ Roll Isn’t Boring, It’s You is an exultant statement from No Sugar. It’s an album that manages to be both fun and ferocious, packed with enough attitude to make even the most jaded punk rock fan sit up and take notice. This is a band that clearly believes in the power of rock ‘n’ roll to challenge the status quo, and they’re not afraid to deliver that message with a sense of wit and a whole lot of swagger. For anyone who’s grown tired of sanitized, cookie-cutter rock music, No Sugar is a breath of fresh air. They’re here to remind us that punk isn’t dead, it’s just waiting for the right band to come along and light the spark. With Rock ‘n’ Roll Isn’t Boring, It’s You, No Sugar has done exactly that. This is an album that deserves to be played loud, with all the windows down and the volume cranked to the max. Because if rock ‘n’ roll is boring, it’s definitely not No Sugar’s fault, it’s yours. Head to Sabotage Records for more information about ordering this punk rock gem on vinyl.
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