With a new album on the horizon, VOLK offers another taste of what to expect with a new single. Since the release of their outstanding album Cashville, Chris Lowe (electric guitar, vocals) and Eleot Reich (drums, lead vocals) has opened a new chapter on their sound. Not to stay in one musical spot for too long, they have been pushing their own boundaries to evolve their music. Their EP, Stand the Test, is a perfect example of them moving into new territory. The title track offers a retro electronic vibe, while you can hear how they have fine-tuned “I Fed Animals – Remastered”. However, the star of the release is the Acid Fader Remix of I Fed Animals. Its dark atmosphere mixed with electro beats is sublime!
Now VOLK wants to treat our ears to something new with their single “Pop Song”. It came to life when; “Chris came up with that over-the-top rocky riff intro sometime during the isolated days of the pandemic and immediately thought, “This is a Pop Song!” Maybe because of the times we were in, Chris originally put some very dark, satirical words to it. Eleot rewrote the lyrics and the chorus melody to land closer to home”. So, what is “Pop Song” about? VOLK says it is a “song you quit your job to. We dare you to, at the very least, call in sick, go for a joyride, and CRANK this tune”. Time to press play and CRANK it up! Place your bets that this will be a hit.
As soon as “Pop Song” begins, you can feel the infectious and upbeat energy of the song. Lowe’s guitar gets the party started and sets the mood and tempo. Reich gently joins in (followed by a scream by The Vandoliers’ Joshua Flemming) before her drums kick in to add another part of the VOLK’s winning formula. It does not take long for the lyrics to appear. Reich starts with the lines, “Step right up, skip the line / Atmosphere’s so hot it’s gonna unionize / Crack it cold, smoke it down / The birds are flying low over forgotten towns”.
VOLK want you to go for a joyride, and CRANK up their new single ‘Pop Song’
The soundtrack is wild and rebellious. VOLK are at their best when they are in this kind of mood. The duo are not creating all this musical chaos (in a good way) alone. As mentioned, Joshua Flemming is adding his vocals, with harmonies in the chorus. Christopher Tait (from Electric Six) sprinkles electronic elements throughout the song. But most of the good stuff is created by VOLK. You can hear they are having fun throughout “Pop Song”. They project a feel-good factor that enhances the listening experience.
But the song still has more to offer. As always, VOLK knows how to hit it out of the park when they deliver a hook. The mood intensifies when it arrives with the pounding of the drums and Lowe letting his guitar loose. Doing so compels you to sing along to “Waking up just to pick your poison / Going numb it’s overwhelming / Take my hand, got to feel the relation / And just sing along, sing along to a Pop Song”. Moments like this sound even better with the volume turned up.
VOLK has delivered yet another anthem to get people singing and dancing. But their upcoming single “Swinger’s Ball” will showcase their softer side. Without spoiling too much, it is a beautiful and slightly haunting track that offers a sublime vocal performance by Reich and Lowe. More examples of what to expect from their upcoming album, On the Other Hand, You Have Five Fingers. They set the bar high with their album Cashville. From what we’ve heard, this new collection of songs will move that bar even higher. Until then, check out “Pop Song” and the other musical treats created by VOLK.
