Nightlights – So It Goes

Sometimes, something tried and true is just what you need. That’s something I believe in and something, I bet, that Florida’s Nightlights believe in as well. Why do I say that? Because quite frankly, So It Goes is really nothing new.

This sounds like countless other bands around today who are carrying around the gruff punk sound – Iron Chic, Nothington, Banner Pilot and so on (I hear they sound a shitload like Latterman too, but having never actually listened to Latterman I can’t say if that’s true or not). The large amount of similarities isn’t necessarily a bad thing though as Nightlights known what they’re doing and do it pretty damn well.

The vocals are easily the highlight – worn and whiskey soaked like Over Stars and Gutters, there’s something undeniably alluring about them. And, like so many others who play this style, Nightlights aren’t a barrel of laughs. These are depressing topics and equally depressing lyrics (what do you expect with song titles like When You Grow Up Your Heart Dies, There’s Something In Nothing and That John Denver Is Full of Shit!?). But in the same way that Off With Their Heads captures you with their self deprecating lyrics, Nightlights do just the same. I mean, “You can’t escape everything that is around this place. No matter where we go, there’s always something in the way. So why the fuck are we here? Who will save us if we won’t make it in the end?” may not be the cheeriest of notes but can be relatable. Add in the woahs and Good Morning, Mr. Breakfast plays through as one of the standouts of the album.

So It Goes definitely follows a certain punk rock formula, but when it’s done this well I can’t really complain. Harsh yet melodic, the album ebbs and flows with momentum; from the soothing instrumental interlude of There’s Something In Nothing to the drum led Laces Out, Dan! – every song packs a punch here and serves as the perfect remedy for anyone who missed out on The Fest last year.