Brace yourself for high-energy street punk by the bucketful, with an overarching political message!
It’s about time the world caught up with Norfolk’s own: Amongst Strangers. These East Anglian street punks dished up their banging five-track EP ‘Strength of a Few’, at the tail end of last year. It’s everything you’d want from a modern punk debut: punchy, high-velocity and anti-establishment.
Forming in 2025, they’ve made it clear in just one release that their rejection of authority and themes of non-conformism can even rival the likes of The Clash and Black Flag. But, like their predecessors, they aren’t just making noise for the sake of it; there’s method to their madness.
Hurtling out the gate with a high-energy opener, ‘Propaganda’ is complete with frantic bass pummelling and hard-charging, slamming riffs. It’s delivered with just the kind of intensity that makes you immediately curious to hear a live rendition. The catchy hook, repeated in a manic, breathless tirade, is a refreshingly open criticism of the modern world: “Propaganda spreads like lightning, too many suffering, but it’s profiting”. Not only are we blasted away by their thrashing guitar stomp, but Amongst Strangers convince us with their switched-on political commentary to face the fire head-on. A combination of both these things made this track the one I was most excited to revisit, on second listen.
Next up is ‘We Are the Difference’. This awesome anthem is one to get up and shout about. Straight away, we’re hit with enraged chants of “Failed by the system / the boxes pin us down” and later “Got to break down this failed institution / Break down the barriers and find a solution”. It’s an irate yet spirited call to action – reminding me a lot of Grade 2 in both lyric themes and the perfect balance of walls of distortion with buoyant chorus melodies.
Furious as ever, the accurately titled ‘This World Is Falling to Pieces’ is catchier with every listen. There’s traditional punk sneer in the verses and American skatecore choruses, blended with 00s alt rock and power punk. The frustration of frontman and rhythm guitarist Sam is matched by backing vocals (or raspy half-shouts) that bring to mind Enter Shikari’s Rou Reynolds. On lead guitar, we’re treated to a highly necessary, epic solo from Kev – and, whilst all that’s going on, Tony puts in another commendable shift, ferociously attacking his bass.
Lurching forward, the massively hooky ‘Electric Loneliness’takes another hack at plastic societies full of corporate greed and selective mass ignorance: “Billionaires and no-one who cares / Convenient comforts at the cost of the earth / Distracted from bombs being dropped on the world”. The band’s passion is mirrored musically through energetic layered guitars, twanging bass and another sweeping solo.
They sign off their debut with its rallying anthem of a title track, starting with a bass solo and later joined by driving guitar and crashing drums – the latter courtesy of original drummer Darren. Since his departure earlier this year, new recruit Cheese has picked up the sticks (Sam and Cheese were both members of neighbouring Norfolk ska punks Faintest Idea two decades ago). On this last number, elements of hardcore sit amongst more 00s alternative and hook-heavy punk. Before escalating into a winding guitar solo, the build up is an exhilarating, high-octane runway: Iron Maiden-style. Amongst Strangers seem to become more scornful and disgusted with each track, but on this last one there’s a sense of hope and resilience too – as hinted in its title.
‘Strength of a Few’ is an infectious debut EP that makes for a great listen and deserves far more hype. You’ll be kicking yourself for not hearing it sooner. Watch this space for more to come.
‘Strength of a Few’ is out now – stream it HERE or order it HERE.
This summer, Amongst Strangers’ new lineup are playing:
28th August – PUNK @ the B2, Norwich, UK
Get tickets HERE.
All Photos: AMONGST STRANGERS
Cover Art: Art By Khay0s
- Propaganda
- We Are The Difference
- This World Is Falling To Pieces
- Electric Loneliness
- Strength Of A Few
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Writer and wannabe guitar whizz – with a playlist for just about every genre and occasion. Fuelled by an eclectic, life-long love of music through the ages, though my heart will always belong to seventies punk and gothic rock. You can usually find me at a gig or some kind of DIY music exhibition. At my happiest finding new music (and rediscovering old gems) to write about, and a firm believer that everyone should have at least one upcoming gig to look forward to.
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