Trophy Jump – Feels

Who are Trophy Jump?, that was my first thought when this album dropped in to my email.  Well as it turns out they are a Croatian Punk/Rock band that have been around since 2014 and after a little research, it transpires that have released two other full lengths up to the release of this, their third album ‘Feels’.  Why does this surprise me, well because as has happened on more than a number of occasions recently, this band have never crossed my path or if they have I must have been looking the other way at the time.

So be honest with me, how many bands can you name from Croatia?  After plenty of thought, the only name that pops into my head is No More Idols, who I believe where/are from that part of the world, After realising this fact, I for one was feeling rather excited to now being able to add Trophy Jump to this very short list.  And what a way to be introduced to Croatian Punk, this band are by the sound of this album alone, going to be in my sights for a long time to come.

‘Feels’ is out on February 22nd via Horn & Hoof Records, It’s eleven tracks long and a will I believe spend a lifetime in your head, having no reference point to go on with this band, it was tempting to go and check out the back catalogue before hitting play, but no this time, lets listen with fresh virgin ears.

From the moment you hit go on this album you are propelled at high velocity through the life of this band, with songs that take you as the listener on a journey, and from my own personal perspective, a bus I didn’t actually want to get off.

The intro to this album is very interesting, ‘It’s Not A Race’ drop some synth amid a vocal that straight away pricks the ears, this then leads you with no wasted time into ‘Business Trip’ which immediately gives you the feeling of a standard rock punk banger, but Trophy Room are not your standard and its not long before you realise this, some wonderful changes in tempo and beats are smothered riffs that so should be there, yet are not always when listening to other albums of this genre, this theme carries on into the wonderful ‘Neon light’, a much less standard rock sound that  has a slowed down Saves The Day quality to it, ‘Leather Sofa’ follows on with its, “we are all one big family and friends are what we are about” theme, this is all given the Trophy Jump makeover.

Being a band formed in Croatia, its not lost on you that this is a band that takes its influences from state side, but what also is not lost, is the fact that they have taken onboard all that was/is punk music and moulded it into their own unique sound, no better can this be heard than in ‘Broken Values’, a snipe at the rock star industry that uses a combination of lyrical insight and sound bites that are entrenched in a Foo Fighters like overcoat, yet still throw in a brass section and beat changes that keep you on your toes.

What drives this album to the top of the pile more than any other, is its insatiable need to push the boundaries of what the genre should and could be, Trophy Jump are not held back by being slap bang in the middle of it all, they stand out by not standing in, the music never lets you drift into a state of flatlining, ‘Hugs On Drugs’ for example, shows just how you can be that fuck you rock band, but still show compassion and love, with riffs and hooks that are just sublime.

To sum up, how do you sum this up?  ‘Beer Pressure’ ‘Sharing Is Scary’  listen and weep, two so very different songs and styles sitting perfectly next door to each other, that sums up this album and band, smashing down the walls with a sledgehammer, then running off with the prize.

If you, like myself have never listened to Trophy Jump before, then this album is one huge reason to make amends for this. Punk/Rock played like the best but Better! 

Out Now Via Horn & Hoof Records, We’re Trying Records and Nasty Cut Records , go check out all streaming platforms HERE

Join the band on their socials FACEBOOK and INSTAGRAM