U.V. PØP: “No Songs Tomorrow”
The 1980’s weren’t the lightest of times for many lower to mid class Britons under Margaret Thatcher (aka “The Iron Lady”). The decade did inspire, however, a great deal of excellent pop music that was every bit as bleak as the political climate (for a U.S. equivalent see Punk during the Reagan administration). One of the bleakest seems to have been South-Yorkshire post-punks U.V. PØP. U.V. Pop, or “Ultra Violant Pop” crafted harsh, raw melodies comprised of staccato rhythms, guitar discord, and morosely deadpan vocals which ranged from whispered poetry to angry cries. Have a listen to the titular tune off of the group’s 1981 LP No Songs Tomorrow below, but don’t do so if your in a cheerful mood. While the political issues that caused anguish to UK’s artists in the 80’s may be history, the desolate mood they convey is still chilling. Plus the class struggle issues are depressingly all too prevalent in society today – just under different names. No Songs Tomorrow is getting the reissue treatment from U.S. label Sacred Bones this Spring, with pre-orders currently available here (LP will be out officially on 4/3).
— Jon Behm
