Tokyo-Brit punk band STRAIGHT BACK FORWARD crash onto the global scene with their explosive debut double single “Don’t Back Down” / “Haunted Home,” released via JPU Records. Formed in Tokyo in 2020, the band fuses East and West with thrilling chemistry—fronted by London-born vocalist Joshua (NEATZ) and powered by Japanese punk veterans masasucks (FULLSCRATCH, the HIATUS, Radiots), Masack (ex-MY FIRST STORY), and Yoshi (GUMX). Together, they’ve built a sound that’s raw, defiant, and full of heart, a sonic middle finger to apathy and borders alike. Recorded during a period when global connection felt nearly impossible, this release feels like a riot of unity and rebellion rolled into one.
The first track, “Don’t Back Down,” kicks the door wide open with roaring guitars and relentless drums. It’s classic punk energy but laced with a modern bite—gritty, fast, and unflinchingly alive. The guitars churn and snarl while Joshua’s vocals deliver pure conviction, his shout-sung delivery channeling the urgency of an underground gig in full swing. The song relays the message of holding up resilience, camaraderie, and resistance in the face of the grind. It’s a rallying cry that feels tailor-made for sweat-soaked venues and raised fists.
Then comes “Haunted Home,” which trades some of the bravado for vulnerability without losing its fire. The tempo stays fierce, but the lyrics hit deeper, touching on loss, regret, and the ghosts of a fractured past. Joshua’s voice strains with raw emotion, caught somewhere between anger and exhaustion, while the band thrashes behind him in cathartic release. The contrast between the melodic hooks and the blistering energy makes it both emotionally charged and irresistibly anthemic.
Altogether, STRAIGHT BACK FORWARD’s debut is a gut-punch reminder that punk’s spirit is alive and kicking. Listen to it on Spotify.
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Review by: Naomi Joan