Liverpool’s This Is War are embarking on a single release a month in 2022. Their 4th instalment released in April was ‘Mona Lisa’.
Like all three previous singles, their rhythm section is on point. Grooving like The Beatles circa ‘Rubber Soul’ with the fierceness of Dr. Feelgood. The beat and mod instincts infiltrate the licks and bass hooks to make this 2022’s coolest record of the year. While everything is sounding slick, frontman Paul Carden finds a soulful rage, almost despair to launch his powerhouse vocals. It takes the record from cool to vital!
It is though, the solo where the true greatness of this record resides. It’s a glorious update on the ‘Taxman’ and ‘Pretty Green’ style/ In fact, the one thing it misses are those exact reference points. It’s as though Mick Jones wanted to rewrite the guitar parts of both songs in his indomitable style.
This Is War have, so far produced 5 fine singles. They seem to be able to turn their hand to all eras of counterculture and find a new take on them. Here’s to the next 6 singles!