Goldfinger

Never Look Back

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Genre: Ska Punk.
Released: 04/12/2020
Via Big Noise Music Group

Album Review: Goldfinger – Never Look Back

Goldfinger returns, after 3 years, with a new album titled “Never Look Back”. The Ska Punk band have bounced back with more of their iconic style. The new record sees the return of Charlie Paulson for the first time since 2002’s ‘Open Your Eyes’ record. Take the back seat while I tell you exactly what I thought about the L.A rockers newest addition to their discography.

The band get right into the swing of things with a punk anthem-like song straight out of the gate. Goldfinger have you wanting to put those skanking boots on with the upbeat tune Infinite. A Vocal Triple Tag Team from John Feldmann, Charlie Paulson and Mike Herrera makes this song seem larger than life. A very powerful start to any album. Without hesitation, you find yourself strutting along to the syncopated beats of The City. A real Ska inspired song mellows the mood to deliver a catchy tune full of vibrancy and excitement. Furthermore, the addition of Matt Appleton on the horns really completes the mood chilled mood the song is trying to achieve.

Continuing through the album, we are greeted to Wildflower. A mix of the styles from the first two songs. Ska Punk! A fast-paced, syncopated song accompanied by the cheesy lyrics fans have come to love from Goldfinger. The song is dominated by Travis Bakers drumming style really bringing it to a new level. Following on, California on my Mind comes as a love letter between the singer and his ‘Wildflower’ reminiscing about the times spent “down in Mexico” yet longing to return to California. A much more relaxed song full of two-tone skanks and complimenting melodies between the vocals and horns.

Surprisingly, the album takes a more aggressive turn with Nothing to Me and Good Guy. These songs explore an underlining theme of being fed up with lies and feelings changing. Firstly, you are attacked by an overpowering Chorus from Nothing to Me shouting “Fuck you and Fuck that”. The song continues by claiming out common hypocrisies in relationships to really drive its point home. Good Guy explores self-reflection after catching “another one of your lies”. Constant references to being used and “breaking down”. musically, both songs are filled with angst and aggression, allowing the songs to truly feel like they could have been released in the 90’s punk scene.

In an almost comical turn change of mood, The Best Life is full of joy and hope. A slow-paced song is jam-packed with explosive brass and soothing riffs. A rather uplifting mood is created by lyrics such as “You smiled like an angel” and “Seemed like our dreams were out of reach then it all changed, in the best ways”. In Contrast, Careful What You Wish For takes a deep dive into the selfish nature of humanity. “Cause there’s something, always something telling me that I need more” is constantly repeated through the more conservative song. Unfortunately, the repetition of the song really leaves a lot to be desired. Nothing really stands out musically or lyrically.

Luckily the album instantly picks up again with Cannonball. Full of energy and excitement, this song has you rocking out from the first drum fill! The use of layering between instruments creates an almost big band feel during the chorus. Expressing the feeling of never giving up, lyrics like “The mission has failed I’m still on your tail so light the fuses up” really hit home. Quite surprisingly, Golden Days is all about looking back on the past and reminiscing about the days lost and plans forgotten. Exploring feelings most of us can easily relate to when growing up, Goldfinger manages to create a nice homage to their earlier career. An extremely wholesome song for fans of the band to really enjoy is exactly what this album, needed as it starts to come to a close.

The penultimate song Dumb is a comical and cheesy number explores the feeling of finding the one. Repetition of the line “Everybody else is dumb except you, You make my heart go boom, boom boom” captures the humour side of the band fans have come to expect perfectly. A relaxing ska tune that will have fans dancing around in venues all around the world soon full of all the brass you could ever want. Finally, we get to Standing on the Beach. A heartfelt song about not leaving someone behind is a fitting way for the album to end. With more of an old-school Goldfinger vibe, the band are clearly not planning on changing any time soon.

Overall, I had a great time with this album! it contained a nice blend of what we have come to expect from Goldfinger with the addition of a more story-driven album. Musically, the album is full of catchy riffs and memorable lyrics for all! If you are a fan of the Ska Punk scene I cannot recommend this album enough!