WORDS HARRY K
Bilk
Essex, Drugs and Rock and Roll
Release Date: January 24, 2025
Bilk’s sophomore album, Essex, Drugs and Rock and Roll, is an unapologetically raw and gritty portrait of life for British youth, infused with energy, irreverence, and unmistakable honesty. Hailing from Essex, the trio—Sol Abrahams (vocals/guitar), Luke Hare (bass), and Harry Gray (drums)—have crafted a record that reflects their upbringing and surroundings, mixing biting social commentary with high-octane indie-punk.
At its core, Essex, Drugs and Rock and Roll serves as a reflection of the band’s local culture, marked by themes of boredom, frustration, escapism, and the sometimes nihilistic pursuit of fun. With lyrics that oscillate between sarcastic wit and stark vulnerability, the band pulls no punches in their portrayal of youth in suburban Britain. The album title itself is a cheeky nod to the rebellious spirit of rock and roll, but with a focus on the band’s everyday reality.
Frontman Sol Abrahams has always had a knack for delivering a message with an attitude, his vocals alternating between deadpan delivery, anger-fueled shouting, and moments of melodic introspection. On this album, Bilk doesn’t shy away from tapping into the struggles of growing up in a town that, as they describe, often leaves you feeling stuck and restless.
One of the album’s standout tracks, “On It,” perfectly embodies the carefree, hedonistic vibe that the band often celebrates and critiques simultaneously. With a punchy, driving beat and infectious bassline, the song is a tribute to nights spent out partying, but it’s not just about the fun—it’s also about the desire to escape, the search for meaning in fleeting experiences.
“Tommy” adds a different layer to the album. The song’s narrative approach takes a closer look at characters from the band’s hometown, highlighting the contradictions and challenges faced by young men trying to navigate life in Essex. With its elastic bassline and hard-hitting rock solo, “Tommy” feels like a defiant anthem, packed with both attitude and heart. It’s clear Bilk has evolved in their storytelling ability, as they tackle personal and cultural identity with humor and pathos.
The album never loses its post-punk edge, with sneering vocals and tight, hard-hitting instrumentation keeping the energy alive. Tracks like “F Ups” encapsulate Bilk’s ability to channel frenetic, high-energy bursts of sound, where Abrahams’ delivery feels almost like a spoken-word rant, filled with jagged wit and sharp observations on daily life.
Lyrically, Essex, Drugs and Rock and Roll sees Bilk grappling with identity—both personal and cultural. The band captures a particular slice of British working-class youth, feeling disillusioned with the prospects they’ve been handed. While the album doesn’t offer answers, it captures a sense of searching, of finding solace in friendships, music, and, sometimes, destructive habits like drugs and alcohol. It’s as much a love letter to their hometown as it is a critique, depicting Essex as a place both stifling and inspiring.
Essex, Drugs and Rock and Roll is Bilk capturing the messiness, contradictions, and chaos of growing up in modern Britain. Musically, the band has evolved without losing the core energy that made them stand out in the first place, mixing their punk ethos with blues, hip-hop, and acoustic textures. Lyrically, the album paints a picture of a young generation stuck between nihilism and hope, offering a sharp, often humorous, take on the trials of suburban life.
Rating: 7.5/10
Track Listing
1. RnR
2. Slag
3. On It
4. Summer Days
5. Go
6. Skidmark
7. F Up
8. Very Nice Life
9. Tommy
10. Beatriz
11. This Room Is Caving In On Me
12. Turning Pages
13. Bilk – Band Life Blues
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My life is a soundtrack, i track my life through music, photography is my passion, my escape, my expression. Without both i have pieces missing, thankfully i’m blessed and get to combine both.
Born in Manchester, lived in Australia for 22 years where i was heavily involved in the Australian Music Industry, firstly in bands (Singer) and then managing bands (all original), I moved back to the UK, Wales specifically 10 years ago
