ALBUM REVIEW: L.U.S.T – Dohny Jep

Kent-based band DOHNY JEP sound like a mash-up of DON BROCO, BRING ME THE HORIZON and THE 1975. Made up of Pete Herbert on bass guitar and vocals, Stuart Day on guitar and vocals, Rowan Tremain on drums and Wayne Ambrose on guitar, the band’s debut album L.U.S.T is something special. Formed in 2019, the alternative rock-pop band are here to make an impact on the scene, but will their debut offering set the band on the path to stardom?

Opener Time On Reflection is a powerful one. Starting off with the tuning of a radio station dial, it then launches into grungy guitars and rock-power vocals. The DON BROCO influence is strong, but this does not taint the song; it instead helps it as it makes the pacing of the song smooth. Unfortunately, the abrupt ending of the song ruins what was a perfect opener.

The titular song is next, and it is an experimental number, it even has a saxophone ending. The pacing for this song feels natural for the album’s overall pacing. Ambushed smoothly enters, and it is a lot more mellow. The vocals are much gentler, and the the song takes an electronic swerve before going into a heavy metal breakdown, this band are showing that – even on their debut album – being confined to a singular genre is not their thing.

Fictions and Relevance are two sides of the same coin. Whereas Fictions are is mid-tempo and calmer, Relevance is frantic and fast. The pacing is even in both songs, and they do not sound out of place on the album. Dreamer is the penultimate song. It is more of an electronic-rock number and is mid-tempo in pace, the guitars are strong, and the vocals are the best offering on the album yet.

The Pyre (You Lack Spirit) is the most experimental song on the entire record thanks to boasting spoken word, electronic elements and is easily the best song on the album. Feeling like a song that wraps up the album, it is a journey through the genres that made up the album, culminating in a guitar solo worthy of Slash himself.

L.U.S.T is a very strong debut album. DOHNY JEP clearly know what their sound is and they have a clear vision of where they want to go next. This is a debut album that delivers and leaves the listener wanting more. A solid debut from a promising new band.

Rating: 9/10

L.U.S.T is out now via self-release.

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