New York based rock n roll outfit SUSU release their first full length album, ‘Call Susie’, a raucous unflinching homage to genres such as hairmetal and classic blues, that never feels stuck in the past.

Opening up the album is the Motley Crue-esque, ‘Atomic Love’, with its sharp guitar stabs that desperately try to tear up your speakers, whilst also contrasting wonderfully with the elegant, lighter vocals that feels as if they could burst into a beautiful falsetto at any moment. It’s a great introduction to the album, with the track throwing out the grime of New York for the glitz of the sunset strip. This is continued within the following track, ‘Moonsung’ which, despite a change in the vocal delivery that brings in elements of 60’s girl groups, is out and out rock ‘n’ roll. It’s unashamedly brash and in your face with the groups, ‘don’t give a fuck attitude’ worn proudly.

‘Let’s Get High’ mixes up the sound of the album. Instead of another rock classic, what we get is a true blending of styles. Slow, muted guitars open up the track with the riff sounding reminiscent of the opening bars of Nirvana’s, ‘Come as you Are’. With this track the vocals take hold of the melody, leading the guitar melody to exactly where the vocal inflections suggest. It builds its suspense expertly, with the closing moments becoming a shoegaze monolith.

At points in the album, the sheer bravado is dropped in favour of some slower, more introspective moments. This is within tracks, ‘Waiting’ and, ‘Mine’, the former in particular allows the vocals to take centre stage with their elegant almost effortless nature shining clearly through. The melody serving as flickers that serve to light up the vocals.

Closing out the album is, ‘Turnt’ which is a Sothern rock classic with a clear New York gloss. It’s upbeat and slightly pop-esque, with the vocals playing into that aforementioned Sothern charm. It’s a blending of The Strokes and Guns ‘n’ Roses which works wonderfully. It changes up the dynamic of the album, with the melody instead dictating where the vocal delivery goes. It’s an excellent way of closing out the album.

‘Call Susie’ is nothing short of refreshing. In a musical climate where lyrical content and the desire to be a, ‘serious artist’ stand at the forefront of bands minds, it’s deeply refreshing to throwback to a time where attitude and raw power were paramount. It’s loud, abrasive and, most importantly, doesn’t give a fuck what you think.