Folk, punk and social messages always seem to go hand in hand. Southend’s Stern John is an emerging example.
By Graeme Smith
The Anglo-Irish band was formed in 2023 consisting of Paul Offord, Craig Brown, and Morgan Condon. Steeped in the Thames Estuary, their music reflects their locale and the community which they hope to foster.
Though formed in the 2020s, Stern John’s music would easily fit into the 1970s. Their style of punk is a raw, jangly one. The band prefer to record live, so the visceral energy of their performance comes through on the recording.
Yet, their self-titled debut isn’t some kind of throwback. Lyrically, it’s focussed very much on the here and now, and grapples with contemporary topics, meaning we get the best of the classic and the modern.
Stern John is an album of contrasting threads. The music goes back and forth between lively punk and soft folk while the lyrics waver between reflective and urgent. This comes through strongly in the opening few tracks where Woke brings high energy and thoughtful lyrics, Alec is soft and searching, and TEA, an early highlight, kicks it up in both departments.
A mantra-like theme runs through the whole album that speaks of tackling heavy things through small, deliberate actions, giving the record a grounded yet philosophical feel. The stories stand out through this approach, particularly the experimental Holes and its vignettes, and poignant buddy song Burrows and Offord. In this way, the band can take on concepts such as inequality, greed, and loss without them feeling overly weighty or nebulous. Listeners will find plenty to relate to.
Some influences stand out too, notably Paul Simon through groovy basslines in Burrows and Offord and Wild Frontier, and Woody Guthrie. Stern John deliver a rendition of the latter’s Deportees on this record, exploring the plight of immigrant labourers in the US.
Stern John is an accomplished album that’s full of heart. The DIY approach makes it relatable, and there’s enough polish to keep it accessible. Producer Barry Streek introduces new textures to Stern John’s stripped-back sound, while the final master was completed at the renowned AIR Studios in London.
If you want to keep up to date with what Stern John are doing, you can by heading to their website, and by following them on Facebook, Spotify, Soundcloud, Bandcamp, YouTube, Instagram, Songkick, and TikTok.
Stern John is out now, and you can listen to it below.
Supported by Musosoup #SustainableCurator
