Barking Poets – Modern War

Let’s be real now, we are living in not so perfect world. Every time you swipe through your social media feed or watch TV, you witness global upheaval, conflicts all around the globe, systematic oppression, and many other things that strike mankind on a daily basis. Even when you try to distance yourself from everything, the bad news somehow reaches you, making life as miserable, depressing, and hard as it possibly can be. Punk rock has always been a perfect vehicle for addressing all those things. Through music, poetry, art, or any other form of artistic expression, punk rock bands have always been on a frontline, pointing out the problems of modern society. And Barking Poets, a London-based trio, have always been a perfect example of how things should be done. Through sharp lyricism, catchy chord progressions, intricate basslines, and groovy beats, this band has always found its way to the top, offering nothing but the truth and the facts about the world we’re living in. Still, beside all the criticism, these wise musicians always found a spot for some melody, harmony, and emotion, making their music as politically charged and emotionally resonant as possible. “Modern War,” their latest composition released on May 8th via all streaming platforms, exemplifies their dedication to the craft. This is punk rock music done right. The song explores an Orwellian, dystopian, uneasy, fragile world we’re living in, where mankind favors modern warfare, systematic oppression, mass media manipulation, and control over peace and harmony. Barking Poets explore these themes with such precision and finesse, often through sharp lyricism that might seem poetic and storytelling to some listeners, but always brutally honest and on point. Sonically, the band sounds better than ever. Their blend of classic and modern melodic punk rock, heavily soaked in pop-punk harmonies, indie rock nostalgia, occasional power pop arrangements, and Motown beats proves that Barking Poets are unable to stay still. They always push their sound forward, always experimenting and tweaking particular gears in this unstoppable sonic machinery in order to stay fresh, relevant, and unique while retaining that recognizable Barking Poets signature sound.

As usual, the centerpiece of this epic sonic journey is the vocal delivery that definitely commands attention. It elevates every chord progression and bassline, adding another layer of melody over the top. It elevates the entire song to new heights while guiding listeners on the epic journey through the expansive sonic universe. Somewhere between entirely clean harmonies and subtle raspiness, the vocal performance decorates all the segments and orchestrations while carrying a significant message, contributing emotional depth, and adding a touch of complexity over an already intricate structure. And beneath those vocal harmonies with have layers of impessive guitar work, constructing a catchy, memorable, engaging soundscape that immediately wraps around the listening apparatus and refuse to let go. The guitars lie somewhere between jangly and tastefully distorted sound, adding rawness and abrasiveness to the chord progressions. The additional melodies, harmonies, themes, and other sonic maneuvers further elevate the ambiance to new heights, making this song so catchy and irresistible. Of course, the warmth, depth, and groove contributed through equally impressive basslines also play a big role here. Besides supporting lush guitar works with all those intricate, vividly hearable, warm-sounding low ends, the bass guitar also binds those instrumentations with rhythmic patterns. It’s worth mentioning that these basslines offer power and detail without overwhelming anything else. And there’s also an exceptional drumming performance, offering all those well-accentuated, flawlessly performed, tastefully assembled beats, breaks, and fills. These rhythmic patterns keep everything in line while dictating groove and pace. Each instrument sounds amazing, defining this song in one way or another. Barking Poets have crafted another socio-political punk rock anthem that will stay with the fans for months. It carries everything you ever needed from modern punk music. Catchy vocal harmonies, lush guitar and bass works, powerful beats, and socio-political commentary have defined Barking Poets’ music, and with this song, the band sounds stronger than ever. If you love your punk rock smart, catchy, and powerful, “Modern War” will be right up your alley. Do not miss it!