Harker – No Discordance

Brighton, UK band Harker hasn’t been kicking around for more than a few years, but through a string of steady EPs has made a name for themselves as an energetic upstart with plenty of potential.  That promise is finally being explored at greater length in the band’s debut full length, No Discordance.  The album features ten tracks of infectious pop-punk tunes with teeth.

A natural stylistic comparison would be none other than that of infectious, fast-paced anthems that defined the now dormant Smoke or Fire.  Front man Mark Boniface exudes an energetic confidence that doesn’t stray too far from melody, matching his comparatively higher landing tone.  As much as I love weathered gravelly vocalists, Boniface’s clean pitch is a well executed alternative that naturally fits the style.  Serving as album opener, “Station Approach” takes a guitar heavy approach that feels more like a match for a mid-tempo midwestern style punk act than those typically implied by Harker’s European geography.  There’s probably room for a Beach Slang comparison here somewhere.  Other songs, like “Black Dog” and “300 Cigarettes” build from No Discordance’s initial momentum, weaving layers of emotional vocal harmonies and angst-driven gang vocals across subtly interjecting choruses and verses.  

The band communicates a catchy and alluring style without necessarily relying on turning each track into an anthem for appeal.  The album’s flow feels natural, although at times perhaps a little uniform.  “Endless Night” bucks trends and closes the album under a grungy little number that crawls at a slightly reduced pace.  Rather than exploding into fire and fury, the band retreats to the expansive and ambient during instrumental bridges.  It’s a curious direction that hints at future possibilities from Harker.

Overall, No Discordance formalizes Harker’s entry to the scene as a punk act worth keeping an eye on.  The band’s steady style makes a fine jump from EPs and singles to the realm of the full length, and is sure to drum up excitement from prospective fans.