Social Order - Tantalize

You know that classic video of Wednesday from the original Addams Family dancing to some spooky beats? That’s exactly what I envisioned as soon as Social Order’s EP “Tantalize” began playing into my headphones. This post-punk trio is bound to explode and, if they don’t, then it’s a damned shame. Very few acts within the oversaturated post-punk scene manage to capture my attention and it’s either due to the deep, mumbling that’s become ever-so-popular or the cookie cutter song templates that begin to sound like the same thing over and over and over again that gets me underwhelmed and disappointed. Social Order manages to avoid all of this and the sad tropes that go along with the genre and deliver a fresh, well produced dance EP that’s to die for. 

The first song on the album is titled ‘Tantalize’ and features Johnny Dynamite. This club friendly track packs everything that you need for a post-punk track to be great; a funky bassline and pulsating drums that set a dance rhythm, uplifting lyrics and a handsome voice behind them, and an extremely well done mix that’s bordering on pop production. As I said in the intro paragraph, a song that can get all the local goths dancing.

The second track on the album is ‘Crime’ which begins with a classic strum of mystical guitar strings before smooth drum pads come into play.  Different enough with ethereal synth undertones. The next song falls right into the comfort zone of having a hopeful ton with dark undertones. Look no further than the lyric, “She’s taking lines in the bathroom working on her lines again”. And we all know the outcome of drug fueled relationships. 

Huge summer vibes hit on ‘All My Life’ as Social Order sings their heart out, presenting a vocal delivery not yet seen and dominating the song. The final song on the album is ‘Worst Way’, implementing a bit more of the punk in post-punk thanks to a rapid, but not dominant, drum machine and aggressive lyrical delivery. 

Social Order may not be too well known YET, but they should be on your radar. A great start, hardly a complaint to be had, and I’m looking forward to see how they evolve into something even more unique.