I was introduced to Night Jobs with The Shape of Bummers To Come tape. I liked it overall, but I did feel there was room from growth. I mean, there always is…but I digress. The band is back in 2022 with the new 7”, Never Happener, featuring four new songs. And I do hear that “growth.”
Sure, Night Jobs play somewhat predictable punk that’s built on power chords and singalongs. But to do it right, you need just enough surprises to keep it interesting. And the band is pulling that off to nice effect on Never Happener. There’s a lot of orgcore-style gruff poppish-punk, but Night Jobs sneak some Replacements and even some alt-country elements in as well. Take “Stumbled Along” as an example, where the progressions build from tension to release, using those different guitar tones to practically sigh in relief once the pressure lets loose. Elsewhere, the band’s singalong game is in high gear once again. Leadoff hitter “Landlord” begs for shouting along from the get-go, while closer “Thank You, Bob Nanna,” shakes up the call and response format, using it as a pass-the-mic style repetition of the point rather than two singers alternating their lines. A repetitive chorus often drives me nuts, but this one-off method makes it feel communal, like being in the crowd at a show instead of sitting here with headphones taking notes on word processor.
Lyrically, it’s a nice mix of personal (“Thank You, Bob Nanna”) and political (“Landlord”), hitting the points in between that are socially aware without preaching or pandering. The lyrics often call out real Minneapolis/Saint Paul locations, but it doesn’t feel like namedropping -- it presents a sense of realism without losing focus on the main point. Most listeners won’t know how the traffic lights on Highway 55 can annoy, or how kicking off an album with a reference to Northeast immediately instills a certain tone, but neither of those elements are the key points of either song I’m talking about. They’re mostly Easter eggs. The songs make an emotional appeal first, using details to embellish. A general theme in this EP is a sense of home and comfort; the need for a sanctuary from the world outside.
I don’t think Night Jobs will appeal to people who are content to listen to the classics on repeat, but for those who enjoy established styles with nuanced differences and a down to earth sensibility, the band is doing nice things. Think Minneapolis punk meets Gainesville, with deeper blue collar roots rock vibes padding it.
