Goodsprings Swing Big with Playful Ska-Reggae Fusion on “Lo Mejor De Lo Mejor” – Single Review

Goodsprings’ fun new single shows the band continuing to develop, with an almost big band feel to this swinging ska tune.

Injecting playfulness into your songwriting is the key to producing amazing, fun music, and Goodsprings have done exactly this on their new single, Lo Mejor De Lo Mejor.

It’s fortunate that they’ve managed it with the English translation of the title of the track literally meaning “The Best of The Best”.

The fun nature of the title runs throughout the track, which combines elements of ska, jazz and reggae to produce a lively swing song.

This playfulness is also reflected in the lyrics, which are delivered with a cocky snarl, mirroring the song’s message as a love letter to those who don’t care to fit in.

This unpredictability is an element of the song I thoroughly enjoyed, keeping me on the edge of my seat.

Combined with the big band atmosphere, this leads to delightfully, quirky results, particularly evident in the breakdown of the track, where the group engages in a scat-like section over a tight bass groove.

I also wanted to praise the amazing brass work, which elevates the track to such a high level bringing a gorgeous flourish, particularly in the choruses.

Overall, this is yet another strong track from Goodsprings, building on their good work from their previous single, Horrors. The fusion of genres works well, producing a charming track with a unique energy. Make sure to check it out if you’re a fan of groups like Sublime or Slightly Stoopid.

Goodsprings Fuse Punk Fury with Ska Rhythms in New Single ‘Horrors’

Newcastle’s Goodsprings return with ‘Horrors’, a track that fuses the raw energy of punk with the rhythmic soul of ska, delivering a powerful political message.

The track bubbles with anger, starting with an opening guitar line immediately hitting you with high energy. This raucous guitar line is over a bed of ska inspired organ reminiscent of bands like The Specials.

However, those expecting a traditional ska track in the style of Madness will be surprised. While the influence from ska bands is present, the group also draws from various other genres such as classic rock and punk, featuring complex, heavy guitar lines and political spoken lyrics, which see the band confronting apathy, racism and austerity and the impact it has had on Britain.

The driving drum beat powers the track, maintaining the punk energy and moving away from traditional ska beats, resulting in a song filled with power and intensity.

The track also features an excellent brass section with the group welcoming in new collaborators with Lucy McCartan on trumpet and Natalie Ziklova on keys which brings the traditional fun of a ska track.

Overall, the track injects a variety of different influences into the ska genre to good effect. You can check out Horrors on 8th June on SoundCloud and follow the band on Instagram here.