The Luka State - Fall In Fall Out (2021)

The Luka State have taken a long time – eight years, to be precise – getting to the point where they can release a debut album. After a plethora of single releases and with a settled line-up now in place, the Cheshire quartet have finally emerged with a first full-length, and it’s one which lovers of boozy, in-your-face indie-rock will go nuts for.

The raucous racket of opener Feel It sets the band’s stall out early on, and proves the perfect introduction to the 11 boisterous songs that follow. Bury Me is another early highlight, all fast-paced passion and raw energy. It’s nothing we haven’t heard before, but it’s executed in a charmingly rough-around-the-edges style that sets The Luka State apart from the swathes of indie bands that love to do pretty bad Arctic Monkeys impressions.

Further high points include excellent acoustic number Bold, as well as the emotive piano balladry of the title-track and upbeat number [Insert Girl’s Name Here]. Rather dubious moniker aside, the latter is an undeniably catchy dose of radio-ready rock’n’roll that’s born for the boozed-up fields of Reading and Leeds. It’s a crying shame for young and hungry bands like The Luka State that 2021’s festival season is looking increasingly in doubt, as it’s in those environments that records like Fall In Fall Out truly shine.

Despite the continued absence of live events, though, the overall strength of this album should see The Luka State survive this turbulent time for new bands. It’s not the smartest record you’ll hear this year, but Fall In Fall Out is a bloody fun listen, and you’d suspect that’s exactly what its creators were shooting for all along.