photo courtesy of Nikki and the Barn Boys

EP Review of Nikki and the Barn Boys: Where Do We Go From Here

The vocals are a key driver of Nikki and the Barn Boys‘ sound, kind of a wail, sometimes a howl, but with power and edge and an almost crooning nature to them, if that’s possible. Regardless, it’s a unique amalgam packaged in a familiar, comfortably noisy guitar driven alt-rock jangle. Sure, the band is a New England Music Awards nominee in the New Act of the Year, Song of the Year, and Album of the Year categories. We’ll find out whether or not they take home any hardware on November 16th. Indeed, the band fully earns its inclusion among New England’s finest with this four-song, NEMA-nominated EP, Where Do We Go From Here.

photo courtesy of Nikki and the Barn Boys

Album-opener “Sacramento” is a catchy strummer. The scratchy, attention-grabbing opening, the captivatingly distant “oo-oo” background, and the pace that feels more uptempo than it really is. This is an opening track that’s instantly engaging. It’s energetic yet sports a too-cool-for-you-all, tunefully flippant vocal delivery.

“Fall In” follows, a noisy, energetic, emotionally wrought wailer. It has a bit of a modern vibe, but for those who remember the times, it brings back all those jangly old ’90s college rock feels.

NEMA Song of the Year nominee “Strawberry Hill,” track three, has a motoring beat that’s a little reminiscent, for me, of Bridget Davis & the Viking Kings, but Nikki and the Barn Boys are a fair bit more energetic, distorted, and enthusiastic. The tempo isn’t particularly fast, but the amount of energy the song generates makes it seems deceptively lively.

image courtesy of Nikki and the Barn Boys

Finally, “Drowning” concludes the collection. It’s a bigger, broader, more empty-spaced crooner, with the music building and pausing to emphasize the more heartfelt, wail-meets-howl chorus.

Where Do We Go From Here is a great four-song introduction to a modern alt-rock band with a timeless style. If you’re looking for music that’s a fun mid-tempo romp with beguiling hooks that seems as if it may be a little cooler than anything else you’re into, you’ve gotta check out Nikki and the Barn Boys.