Lurcher – Quad Biking

It has been more than a year since we heard any news from Lurcher, but this Hartlepool-based quartet worked hard on developing their distinctive sound by working on catchy, memorable, engaging, memorable songs that will appeal to even the pickiest post-punk fan. Now, when it comes to the post-punk genre, you probably already noticed how many bands go the safe route by mimicking something the renowned greats have recorded and released decades ago, or overly experimenting with other genres to the point that it does not sound like post-punk anymore. Thankfully, Lurcher are aware of how the majority of the scene works nowadays, and they’ve decided to do their own thing, far from being repetitive, bland, or predictable. “Quad Biking” unquestionably exemplifies their tremendous dedication to the craft. Recorded, mixed, and mastered by Chris McManus at Blank Studios, this fine piece of sonic artistry not only arrives as a proper follow-up of “Punchline Blues,” another fine piece you should check out immediately, but also stands as a second single from their forthcoming “Bad Gag” EP. Their version of post-punk music definitely differs from anything the scene offers right now. Although Lurcher fully stacked this composition with the fundamental elements of this style, you will undoubtedly stumble upon some of the finest properties borrowed from noise rock, art punk, alternative, and indie. However, unlike many other bands who overexploit the additional elements, Lurcher remain loyal to the primary sonic direction while those sonic ingredients act as more than necessary enhancements that just elevate particular moments or segments throughout the song. These are the moments where their outstanding writing, composing, arranging, and producing abilities shine in the limelight, as the band delivers one of the finest songs the scene has seen in years. Lyrically, “Quad Biking” explores the quad biking, long before E-bike and scooter culture became a thing. It’s an underground scene of public transportation, and Lurcher perfectly applied this theme over a lush, complex, captivating sonic backdrop.

As soon as you press play, you’ll stumble upon all those profoundly detailed guitar works, roaming around and constructing such a mindblowing backdrop for all the vocals to shine upon. The cleverly constructed and flawlessly performed main theme, melodies, harmonies, chord progressions, riffs, and other sonic maneuvers carry a lot of that post-punk, art punk, noise rock ambiance, while the tastefully added distortion brings rawness, abrasiveness, dirtiness, and subtle aggression. If you pay close attention, you’ll also notice how just a touch of studio reverb gives more space, depth, and detail to these guitar works, making them more massive and powerful while retaining that jangly, angular sound. This is a post-punk guitar tone dialed to perfection, and it suits this composition nicely. Beneath these guitar works, there are equally impressive bass guitar, rumbling around with all those intricate, vividly hearable, warm-sounding low end notes, and offering more than necessary heaviness, clarity, and depth to this composition while acting as a binding element that blends the mentioned orchestration with rhythmic patterns. The guitar and bass works are paired to perfection, existing in the same universe without overwhelming each other. Each layer has its place and purpose, making “Quad Biking” a song that carries a complex yet easy listening atmosphere. And you’ll certainly notice how the drummer keeps all those instruments in line while dictating groove and pace with steady, well-accentuated, expertly performed beats, breaks, fills, and other percussive acrobatics. Each new rhythmic pattern delivers some surprises, making this song even more detailed. But this song wouldn’t work without the excellent vocal performance, which, in this case, acts as a guide through the Lurcher’s lush soundscape. Ranging somewhere between well-articulate shouts and melodic chants, these soulful, passionate, sincere, confident, and powerful vocal lines definitely uplift all the instrumentations, decorate and elevate all the segments, and keep the listener engaged in this sonic process.

“Quad Biking” is an absolute banger that vividly showcases how post-punk, when done right, can still sound fresh, unique, innovative, and exciting, while respecting all the basic rules of the genre. Lurcher is such an incredible band where all the brilliant ideas, outstanding musicianship, and tremendous experience collide harmoneously. You should not miss this masterpiece if you love your post-punk catchy, genuine, and complex.