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Dundee’s David Delinquent and the I.O.U’s deliver a devilishly delightful debut.
From signing with a record label to performing at major UK festivals and now releasing their debut album, it’s been quite the year for David and co. The album entitled ‘Scandal‘ is available for pre-order now with the official album launch show taking place at Beat Generator in Dundee on the 25th September, followed by shows in Edinburgh and Glasgow with a show in Aberdeen coming later on this year.
It’s been a little over three years since I first experienced an I.O.U’s show as a support band at the very same venue that they’ll be launching this album but it’s a very different band now than the one I witnessed that day. The personnel remains the same but that raw energy has been polished and fine tuned over the years. This is a band that are now very much at the top of their game.
The album kicks off with ‘Rocksteady Girl‘, a high-octane blast of pop punk bursting with energy and featuring a irresistibly catchy chorus. One to get you proper sweaty in a mosh pit and believe me you’re going to be in that mosh pit quite a lot throughout an I.O.U’s gig. Moving onto your new favourite song about cats, track 2 ‘Alleycats in Love‘ keeps the energy going. A punchy bass, catchy harmonies, funky sax & chaotic guitar solos, this is a track that has absolutely everything.
One of my first ever impressions of David Delinquent was a comparison to James Dean Bradfield of Manic Street Preachers, this feels particularly notable in ‘Too Far Gone‘ which feels like it could fit very nicely into any 90s Manics album. If you thought the I.O.U’s were moving at a rapid pace so far, that’s nothing compared to track 4. Beginning with a blistering guitar solo, ‘Everybody Loves You‘ moves at breakneck speed bursting with pure, unadulterated fun energy. It’s a unbelievably infectious feel-good song.
Latest single ‘Shame of my Youth‘ is an instant anthem. Propelled by a tight rhythm section and a wailing guitar riff, David reflects on youthful mistakes that feel both personal and universally relatable. The backing shouts of ‘shame!‘ might bring a certain Game of Thrones scene to mind but unlike that particular show, this song is elite from start to finish. Time to flip your vinyl over and have the time of your life. Track 6, ‘Time of my Life‘ features some fantastic harmonies in both vocals and guitar riffs and yet another incredible sing along chorus, this is a band that know how to write a crowd pleaser.
With thunderous drums, solo bass riffs, saxophone outros from the choruses and a mesmerising guitar solo, everybody gets a chance to shine in ‘Nobody Else‘. Whilst musically it’s an excellent song, the centrepiece of this one isn’t in the music itself, it’s in the empowering message of confidence, belief and self-acceptance. ‘Hanging Out‘ goes back to the more punk rock I.O.U’s that I first witnessed. Fast paced, full of angst and clocking in at just under 2 minutes, everything a proper punk song needs. Oh and you’ll wanna watch out for the biggest mosh pit of all in the outro.
The penultimate track of the album ‘Not a Fan‘ has David earning the Delinquent title with lyrics built around defiance and being unapologetically himself. An anthem for anyone refusing to conform. Closing out the album is ‘Today’s a Drag‘ and whilst some bands like to end their records on a slower song, the IOUs don’t ever slow down. The lyrics through the verses voice the relatable frustration of modern life followed by arguably the best sing-along chorus on an album that features so many fantastic choruses.
This album truly is a modern punk rock masterpiece. From start to finish there is so much energy in every track and what I like most is that it’s a really fun album. You cannot possibly listen to this album without smiling, it’s feel good rock n roll at its finest. With shows across Scotland coming in the next few months, get yourself to a gig and get stuck in about the mosh pits, see you there!
