It’s hard to know what to expect from a Getdown Services album. The duo is equal parts comedy and musical talent. Their crude humour is always a surprise, but they are one of the most entertaining bands in the UK to see live if you are lucky enough.
The latest entry into their growing discography is ‘Massive Champion’. It’s quintessentially Getdown Services from the album art alone: a drawing of a naked man. The record itself builds on their past hits with a blend of serious tracks and that crude, comedic tone that makes up a significant portion of their branding.
The album opens with ‘Poor Bannister’, a funky track that feels like a perfect summary of the band's ethos. It’s a witty banter between artist and fan, telling a story about watching someone sleep. It could be easy to dismiss Getdown Services as a band that lacks seriousness from this song, but beneath the lyrics is a beautiful guitar melody. It’s a simple track that provides an ideal start to an album that takes twists and turns.
Many of the tracks on this album follow a style very similar to that of previous works by the pair, but their fun lyrics and charismatic performances prevent the sound from getting boring. Their work is dominated by heavy guitar and drums, matched by the gravelly voices of the duo, Josh Law and Ben Sadler.
There is a back-and-forth through many moments of the album, where the lyrics impart a certain sadness masked by the comedy that is most obviously present. A common theme across songs such as ‘Stop Living’ and ‘I Can’t Die Like That’ is, unsurprisingly, death, but it's paired with a melody reminiscent of 70s and 80s funk tracks with electric guitar and electronic sound effects. It’s sad, but in a way that you can dance to, which feels a little ironic when they sing phrases like “I'll keep it quiet / I don’t want to die”.
Highlights of the album come through in ‘Check The Definition’ and the strange combination of musical elements between ‘A Crazy Story’ and ‘What’s On Your Mind?’. The former is a spoken-word piece in the style of a voicemail; it’s a quirky track that makes the next song even more unexpected. ‘What’s On Your Mind?’ is a slower, heartfelt track that explores potential heartbreak. Getdown Services have become experienced in switching between their comedic tracks and their deeper confessional moments that hit harder due to their lack of seriousness.
‘Check The Definition’ is angry but not melodically - it hides the feeling within its lyrics. It shows the singer's confusion in his relationship: “I know I said I’m sorry / But I need to check the definition”. This moment is representative of how Getdown Services can effortlessly move between tongue-in-cheek humour and deeply emotional storytelling about the pair’s own lives.
‘Massive Champion’ is a clever addition to the works of Getdown Services and provides an excellent entry point into the duo's musical style for new fans. It also gives long-term fans an exciting new record that is some of the most interesting work created by the pair.
Emma Giles
Image: ‘Massive Champion’ Official Album Cover