LASTKAJ 14- Står Stött EP

If you don’t know Lastkaj 14, you probably don’t know me. I can’t shut up about them. Any opportunity is a good one to talk about their immense talent. I have been obsessed with them for 6 years now. I’ve never fallen so hard for a band. I didn’t think it was still possible at my age.   A unique band, difficult to describe and impossible to compare. The kind of band that makes all the others seem bland.

Swedish trällpunk

Intense, fast-paced punk rock with incredible melodies and vocal harmonies. What’s quite unique is that all members sing (lead and back vocals). It’s like listening to a punk rock choir. The vocal harmonies mixed with the fast, powerful drumming are just perfect.

The announcement 

I finally have a good reason to talk about them. Last may, they released a “surprise” EP. They dropped a few hints on social media, but no official announcement.  I was curious, but nothing more, until I received a message from the singer Pierre Pettersson with a dropbox link:  

“Eight new songs EP ready with Lastkaj14! Do you wanna hear the first single?” 

“We got some complaints that the 2 « elections songs » lacked intensity and that pissed us off so we’ve recorded 8 hardcore songs just to show them.”

I was surprised, but above all, in total disagreement. Everything is always beyond intense, but well … if it motivates them.

Even though this isn’t the first time I’ve received this kind of privilege, I never get used to it. I have to say, I’m good for their egos. Everything they do, I love TOO much ! Torn between curiosity about the new release and the first-listening anxiety, I had a moment of hesitation. “What if I don’t like it? What do I say?” I have no reason to worry, since it’s never happened before. That’s the downside of being on top, it’s difficult to do better. I know, I think too much, but that’s part of the fun, isn’t it? The truth is, I can’t even wait until my break (10 minutes). Fortunately, I’m alone in the lab. I can put the sound at max volume. At least at the maximum capacity of the job’s shitty little laptop.

Ändras och förändra

A quick one! 2 minutes 5. Right from the opening, I know this isn’t going to be a soft and happy song. The drum and bass set the tone for the piece. Used to perfection, they set the mood, a dark and sad one. Immediately, I remember why they’re my favourite band and why I’ll always love what they do. A first single, effective to shut up the complainers.

May 5, 2023

8 songs, 14 min 8, all under 2 min 27. Available in digital, CD and cassette. No time to wait 8 months for vinyl. Personally, I buy the physical formats to encourage and collect but, honestly, I never listen to them.

The full EP

Mer eller mindre (1m06), the shortest, and the first song where we can hear the special guest who shares vocals on some of the songs. A surprisingly explosive female duo! With Samma Gäng and Vem Vet, the aggressive vibe of the first two is still there, but I knew they couldn’t help but include a few choruses that get stuck in your head. Står Stött (1m33), I’ve got a crush on this one. It’s the one that differs most from their usual style, with a surprising “punk rock” Markus on vocals. As he’s kind of the “soft” one, it’s good to hear him scream. And what can we say about the drums, which once again steal the show?!

Små Steg and Nyskapande

If that’s not “intense” enough, the last two songs should satisfy the most demanding. Two masterpieces to end on a high note, ensuring a second, third or even a fourth listen for the most obsessed. Even if it seems impossible to do better, they always manage to outdo themselves.  

Små Steg and Nyskapande, 100% Lastkaj 14, could have been on any of their other albums. At 2.18 m and 1.36 m respectively, it’s all they need to create songs that are deeply moving. Lyrics sung with so much passion and emotion that it brings out my empathic self. I just want to give them a hug and say, “It’s gonna be alright”. Thank God, I don’t understand the words! I had to accept losing part of the creation, but that never affected my appreciation. It just brings a little extra challenge. For those of you who are intimidated by the language and say, “I can’t sing” (people say that to me all the time), well … you can!  Sing whatever you want, anyway, no one will notice.

EPs are cruel

I’ve heard that an EP is cruel, because it’s far too short. Personally, I think it’s just a good excuse to listen to it over and over again. It can be played four or five times in a row before I decide to change. Eight songs, a little shorter, more in your face than usual, but never too far from their strengths. Whatever the style, whatever the tempo, whatever the motivation, as long as they’re together, I know the result will be remarkable. They truly are a group of incredible musicians and amazing people. I could never be able to thank them enough for all the emotions they make me feel. 

By the way, if after a few complaints the whiners got a full EP, if I’m whining about the lack of violin and accordion can I have, at least, one song? 

Just saying! 😉

My favorites: Ändras och Förändra, Står stött, Små Steg, Nyskapande.

Links:

• bandcamp
• facebook
• instagram
• YouTube

Redaction: Geneviève Ouellet

Correction: Val Girard