Hailing from Denny, Falkirk, The Nickajack Men are fast outgrowing their roots. With their double-sided single release of Changed Ways, featuring the titular song and also the grand Different Languages, is a fresh dose of happiness into the indie rock scene.
Starting with Changed Ways, singer Lewis White tells the story of someone gone off the deep end in splendour and riot, and their attempts of (shockingly enough) changing their ways. The singer – accompanied by brilliant leading guitar track and a subtle but steady drumming – questions if it was “all a big mistake” being with this person, or letting them back in, or perhaps both.
This song could even be about the vocal narrator themselves; there are a lot of layers in the song, and a lot of interpretations. My favourite thing about this song is its versatility. I can picture this song in any film: passionate romance, smooth-driving through chaos, teenage rebellion, not-so-teenage collapse – or simply a feel-good dance montage. There is a strong 80’s-90’s inspiration here, sounding equally garage-rock yet professionally polished, like any quality rock song should be.
For such a dark topic, this song is energetic and stunning; Even after finishing this review I keep coming back to this song to get me motivated. I wouldn’t be surprised if this song becomes a staple in indie playlists. At the very least it’s the perfect song for summer (even if our sun is gone.)
A more grungy tone, while not as polished it is pleasant in its own quiet-riot way.
The (literal) flipside of Changed Ways is the next track, Different Languages. The vocals are less varied on this track which adds to the grunge-rock atmosphere of this song. While being less energetic than the first, it is still a great song of summer. If you’d listen to Changed Ways at the beach, Different Languages is the song playing at the night-time barbeque.
The lyrics of this song offer a different take on the situation – both the narrator and the person going off the rails are struggling (“fell off the track and I’ve been trying to hold on” ). It’s interesting and honest: the lyrics and the tune are the come-down of anger, the moment when all the fight leaves you and sorry doesn’t need to be said. The submission of power that’s the focus of Changed Ways gives this song a more vulnerable and tender overtone, which is only amplified by the guitar and bass working well together with a more passionate drumming track and a developing vocalist.
Half way through the song the keyboard and drums lead a hush as the vocalist becomes more intimate in his singing, before the entire five-piece comes together in a wonderful harmony to stress that the narrator and the other off-the-rails focus can be okay in the end.
The talent of each member in The Nickajack Men is clear to hear, and together they work as a triumph of the indie scene. These men know what stories to tell in their music and how to convey them not just well, but perfectly, in keeping with the intimacy and freedom of indie rock. I’m glad I’ve discovered them and I cannot wait to hear more.
Changed Ways is now available to stream on Spotify, Google Play, Itunes, and Amazon Music. They will also be playing at PJ Molloys, Dunfermline, on July 20th.
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