PENGSHUi - 'Destroy Yourself' Album Review

Tracklist:

1. Break The Law ft. P Money

2. Eat The Rich

3. Little Brother

4. Ain't No Love

5. Move The World

5. I'm Sick

6. This Is My Youth

7. Ursa Minor

8. IDKWYBT

9. Shellers

10. Destroy Yourself

11. Nothing Ever Changes

This is not an album for the faint hearted, the uncommitted or those who might think some people should be seen and not be heard! It definitely won’t be soundtracking any ‘work meetings’ in Downing Street. It should however be soundtracking our lives.

What it is, is a visceral, full on, aural assault on both your ears and your conscience. It demands to know if you’re engaged in dealing with the actual issues impacting the people the band know, the world round about them, the things they grew up with and see every day and what’s going on in our troubled times. It also demands to know, more importantly, why you’re not engaged, giving a series of eloquent but urgent, and almost aggressive, reasons as to why you should.

It reminded me at times of early Clash, at other times of Rage Against the Machine but most importantly, of just how essential music can be, how it can make you feel, energise you, make you want to stand up and change the world for the better, one banging song at a time.

If you can listen to 'I’m Sick' and not feel the pain, the anger, the frustration, the confusion and the sheer desperation then you’re not listening to the same song I am. Sadly, it’s reflective of more lives than should be the case in what claims to be a caring, compassionate, society.

Does the world need another angry loud band determined to change it, damn right it does! Should you go listen to this album? In a world where politicians no longer seem to take any responsibility for their actions, seem to be determined to take what they can and not acknowledge the harm they do and where seemingly, the rules only apply to the majority but not to those in power, it’s more essential than ever that we have bands like this one, determined to speak up, to point out what’s actually going on and to lead the revolution.

This won’t be to everyone’s taste, it is loud, they do use all the means at their disposal, they don’t hold back in their lyrics and are happy to use language some might shy away from but because it doesn’t pull it punches, because it is political with a small p and because it deals with real human experience, it’s worth your time and, more importantly, your respect.

The first essential album of 2022? I’m tempted to say yes.