Review – Vikings

Album: Animal Kingdom
Release Date: March 10, 2017
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Genre: Pop-Synth

Lovers of bands such as MGMT, Young Blood, and The Arcade Fire may enjoy the light, upbeat sounds of Vikings’ new EP, Animal Kingdom. Based out of Winnipeg, this 4-piece band blends together old-school new wave with modern dance beats to make a cheery time-waster that you can bob your head to in the car.

I personally found the EP to be fairly routine; it’s not a particularly new or different sound from what we’ve heard before from, and while the short four-song EP isn’t anything monumental, it still manages to put in the familiar and satisfying sounds that we’ve been enjoying for several years now.

The opening track, “Burning Man”, is a typical pop-synth landscape: ping-y highs and crashing cymbal down-beats, whereas the title track could be something used in a movie where the rebellious teenagers have hit the road and are enjoying the sunshine as the wind whips through their hair. My favourite track on the EP would have to be “Doing Work” – a slightly slower tempo song and more reminiscent of New Order and Joy Division, which leads me to believe they might actually be better live.

While the album didn’t jump out at me, it does have appeal and it would be difficult to listen to and stay in a bad mood. As a sophomore effort, Vikings have done a fine job and I look forward to hearing more from them.

If you are in the Winnipeg area, there will be an EP Release Show on March 10, at The Good Will Social Club on Portage and Furby.

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