Released: March 8, 2024

Genre: Punk

From: the Netherlands

Label: Strap Originals

Why you should listen: Groningen-based band Real Farmer have come through with an electrifying, energetic and hard-hitting debut album with Compare What’s There. Literally appeared in my Apple Music recommended new releases the other day, I was initially drawn by the aesthetic album cover, but it was the music and immersive experience I got from listening to the album that made me stay, and play again and again. From the opener “The Feeding” to the closer “Never Enough”, it’s relentless. The heavy guitar riffs, infectious bassline on the opener is incredible, with a relentless driving energy. Jeroen Klootsema’s lead vocals throughout growl at you, with a fierce energy to it that drawns you in completely. “Inner City” has these infectious guitar riffs that crash down among intense drumming from Leon Harms. The wailing acoustic guitars from “Waiting For” complement the heavy riffs throughout, with emphatic singing throughout. The darker, eerier vibe of “Empty” is incredible, while “Gentrified” speaks to the social anger of feeling gentrified when you’re too poor. Capitalism pimping us for money and data, basically. The wailing distorted guitars throughout are crazy, while the melodic and lighter “I Can’t Run” has a catchy hook and riff, while Marrit Meinema’s subtle vocals and basslines are exceptional. The energy of “Perry Boys” is hypnotic, while the lyrics are hopeless. The rumbling drumming of “Next In” kicks the track off with incredible energy, as Jeroen wants to be taken to all the places he can’t afford, speaking to the pains of not being able to afford a lot of stuff that should be able to, another critique of the current system we live in. “The Straightest Line” is a heavy, overwhelming track, with wailing guitars from Peter van der Ploeg, who absolutely steals the show throughout the album with his entrancing guitar riffs throughout the entire project. “Consequence” is another groovy track, a more melodic and gentle cut, while there’s something glamorous about the riffs and energy on “Wayside”. “Wasted Words” is the longest track on the album at just under 4 and a half minutes, and is one of the most immersive, atmospheric cuts on the album. The Twin Peaks energy to the groove of the riff is accompanied by gorgeous vocals and gentle guitar melodies, taking you through a psychedelic journey. “Never Enough” closes the album out with an emphatic energy to it, with anger about finding oneself while being “stuck in this life”, and trying to break free from all systems of oppression that prevent us from truly being free. It’s unapologetic political album about liberation, with a fiery, eclectrifying energy. Compare What’s There is a home run, a terrific, immersive punk album that puts Real Falmer on the map as one of the most exciting bands making music today.

The album:

https://embed.music.apple.com/gb/album/compare-whats-there/1712313467