Nostalgic, hyperactive and sizzling with energy -
Joey Valence & Brae's first album is one filled to the brim with big beats and wise-cracking bars. It's a style that immediately stole attention and garnered recognition upon their 2021 debut, but can the appeal hold up over 14 tracks?
The short answer - absolutely. The '
Punk Tactics' LP wears the Pennsylvanian college buddies' influences on its sleeve, with Beastie Boys clearly holding a colossal place in both their childhoods, but their ability to twist that into something current and unique is what carries the project. Recorded and self-produced in Valence's bedroom, the home-brewed chemistry is evident on every track.
Several fan favourites are featured, including the tone-setting title track, bass-fueled chaos of '
HOOLIGANG' and relentless momentum of 'TANAKA 2', which Logic himself has praised and even contributed to. Valence & Brae certainly aren't afraid to shake things up further, as proven by the mid-song switch-up on '
DROP!!' and garage-rock sound of 'STREET PIZZA'; this is a mish-mash of funk, punk, rock and rap with a heavy hip-hop grounding.
Formidable ambition and vigour aside, the duo's infectious desire to have fun permeates their endeavours to date, and this record is no exception. Blink-and-you'll-miss-it cultural references are dished out generously; each track can be vibed to at surface level or appreciated deeper upon closer inspection of some truly bizarre lyricisms.
