Violent Soho were one of the Brisbane punk scene’s defining acts last decade. However, in their absence since the release of 2016’s WACO, bands like WAAX, Dune Rats and the DZ Deathrays have risen in their place. Last week, those who follow Violent Soho on social media may have seen the comically large lines outside of various record shops after they quietly announced a series of comeback shows, for which tickets could only be purchased in store. Selling out in less than two hours, the kings made their return, alongside the announcement of their 4th studio album, Everything is A-OK out April 3rd, and a fresh new single, “Lying on the Floor”, released last Friday. 

From the opening guitar screech, “Lying on the Floor” is iconic Violent Soho. The heavy drums, catchy riffs and nasally pop-punk vocals are all present, with a simplicity to the song writing that hasn’t been heard since their 2010 debut album. There is no sudden explosion of sound like on “Covered in Chrome”, no slow intro and gradual progression like on “Like Soda” and no creeping melancholy like on “Saramona Said”. Instead, “Lying on the Floor” is a basic rock song, relying on the band’s iconic sound and charming lyrics. The heavy, headbanging rock sound accompanies a lethargic and apathetic, without ever veering into lazy or disinterested, vocal moan from singer Luke Boerdam as he sings about surrendering to life’s hardships. Lyrically, this includes the strangely brilliant allegory to a cigarette holder. The chorus has a brightness to the melody that adds to the contradictory energy of the instrumentation, making Boerdam’s proclamation of “lying on the floor, that’s all I want to do” oddly uplifting. As all of this comes together in the end, when the instrumentation reaches a peak and Boerdam screams “I don’t want to be a memory”, the listener has had a taste of almost every element that makes the band great.

“Lying on the Floor” isn’t the band’s strongest single, but it is a heart-warming reintroduction to a distinct, iconic and beloved band. Everything is A-OK is slated for release on April 3rd. 

Check out the new track below.