Album Review: Radio89 – In Memory

Orlando quintet Radio89 only came into being a few short years ago in 2016, but ever since their formation the band has been bringing their raw catchy punk rock sound to the scene. Their debut full length has influences from across the board, there are elements of old school and new school punk, and the energy of Oi! & hardcore is thrown into the mix to create an album that will have a broad appeal across punks fanbase. Radio89 released their debut album via A Jam Records at the tail end of 2017, and In Memory is now available for download and streaming via Bandcamp.

In Memory opens with a static burst before you get the station ident that confirms you are listening to Radio89, Different But United kicks things off in earnest with a full tilt punk attitude, one that carries elements of the styles that has served the likes of Rancid and Bouncing Souls so well, with hard edged guitar hooks and fist pumping anthemic choruses, that proves it isn’t a one off as the energy is carried throughout most of the album. The only exception to the head on punk rock assault is the acoustic pop punk song The Nether, that sits somewhat incongruously towards the end of the album, but thankfully it’s back to business for the final two tracks that return to the heartfelt fast paced punk rock, closing with the album’s finest moment, Be Me.

If you like your punk rock with infectious gang choruses and a gruff melodic style that is born of street punk then I think Radio89 will be a band that will be embedded in your playlist for the foreseeable future, this is hard edged enough for the punk rock purists, melodic enough for the mainstream fans and it’s catchy as hell. In Memory is one of those rare albums that straddles the divergent streams that punk rock has split off into over the years, and it’s one that’s well worth investigating.

In Memory can be streamed and purchased via Bandcamp here

Radio89‘s Facebook page can be found here