Janice Graham Band – Assassiner | Single review

Jamie T, Amy Winehouse, a little bit of The Specials and a drizzle of The Arctic Monkeys come to mind when listening to Mancunian Janice Graham Band’s single, Assassiner. Bizarre? Certainly. Likable? That’s up to you to decide. It is definitely something that is pretty out-there. With rapping over a simple bass line, jazz drumming and ambient electronic bleeps, it sounds like they’re influenced by the Beastie Boys and Goldie Lookin Chain, with each rapper taking turns to talk about murder with an oxymoronic sinister and silly attitude.

“Psycho when I’m out to cycle,” “I don’t want this to end up in another case of handcuffs,” and a load of censored-out naughty words might have the listener laughing a little, although the music is impressively shadowy and their word-play is quite clever. By listening to this single you won’t be surprised that they have supported Toots and the Maytals, with a prominent ska influence detectible. Worth checking out if you want an eclectic mix of genres thrown together by what sounds like a group of teens having fun blending the past with the present.

Verdict: •••

Matt Di Salvo

Assassiner is out now on Acid Jazz Records. For more information visit the their label’s website.

Watch the video for Assassiner here: