THE LUKA STATE: More Than This (ROCK): review / opinion to read on Music Waves

The previous review of the last album of The Luka State to date suggested the best hope for the band, provided that it asserts a little more its personality in its new release. It must be said that since 2013 the band has acquired the reputation of a new British rock sensation despite influences that are a little too strong (Oasis, Muse, The Clash). Will this hope be confirmed by this "More Than This"? As a beginning of answer, the title already gives a clue. The Luka State is more than this, more than the punk rock in which we would tend to have locked them. Such seems to be the ambition of the band through these twelve new songs.

The framework remains the same with short titles, sign of a will to testify of an urgency, an anger and an energy always present. The punk remains underlying, especially in the eponymous track, but with the particularity of bringing a touch of melody. The Luka State seems to have succeeded in creating a bridge between two antinomic styles by definition. 'Matter Of Fact' is part of this will to mix in a daring way a rage more subtle than it seems. What distinguishes the band from its influences is the vocals which, unlike Oasis for example, are more expressive. This gives the feeling that the band is more concerned by its subject where the nonchalance of Liam Gallagher could sometimes leave you wondering.

It is this mix of genres that makes this album interesting with this open-mindedness that the band has found during its last years of composition. The anger is still there but it is better dosed ('Two Worlds Apart'). However, the choice of a short format does not always allow to put forward the contrasts. One bathes here in a kind of permanent tension until the final title 'Movies' which calms the game a little late. Certainly, the album seems to be a response to the period recently lived, a kind of outlet and a liberating cry of an idle youth, but some changes of rhythm could have brought a hint of additional interest.

Anyway this (not so much anymore) new rock sensation confirms all the hopes we had in her thanks to an energetic and powerful album that wakes up a gentrified rock. The Luka State is perhaps the missing link between The Clash and Oasis and in that it is already affirming a beautiful personality. - Official website

THE LUKA STATE

MORE THAN THIS

AUTRE LABEL

ROCK