SINGLE REVIEW: Union Jack – Social Game
“Social Game” kicks off with a strange but catchy melody that sounds like it’s been plucked from an 80s kids TV show. It’s a weird hook that instantly grabs your attention and sets the tone for what’s to come. From there, the track builds slowly but purposefully — jagged guitars weaving between sparse moments and crashing walls of noise. This isn’t polished punk, it’s raw and ragged, the guitars and drums locked into a tight but fiery push that keeps the momentum going without ever feeling out of control.
Vocally, the song is driven by a two-pronged attack: one voice cuts through with a sharper, more traditional punk sneer while the other leans melodic but still gritty. They trade off and overlap, sometimes running in tandem, sometimes battling for space, creating a vocal tension that holds your focus even as the instrumentation grows denser. The vocals sit somewhere in the mix — rugged and rough but often partially buried under the layers of distortion and fuzz, adding to the track’s DIY grit.
What really sets “Social Game” apart is its willingness to play with texture. Late in the track, a gospel choir quietly appears in the backing vocals. It’s not a grand statement or an obvious highlight — more a subtle undercurrent that adds warmth and depth amid the song’s abrasive edges. The choir doesn’t soften or sweeten the sound, but instead complements the band’s rough energy with a slightly unexpected layer that pushes the song into fresh territory.
The guitars are sharp and spiky one minute, thick and crashing the next. The drums are relentless but controlled, driving the song forward with a fierce but measured urgency. The overall effect is a track that feels urgent without ever tipping into frantic, scrappy without sounding careless. Union Jack wear their DIY badge proudly, but it’s clear they’re working with intent — balancing chaos and precision to keep things gripping over six minutes.
“Social Game” isn’t an easy listen, but it rewards patience. It’s loud, punchy, and unapologetically raw — a proper punk howl with a few clever twists, proving Union Jack are not here to play it safe.
