EP REVIEW: Is It Me? – Fonzy & Company

Bristol is well known for its culture and the cosmopolitan makeup of its population, so it should come as no surprise that local upstarts FONZY & COMPANY comprise people from Swansea, Yeovil, London and Bournemouth before upping the exotic ante and adding a New Zealander for good measure. Formed in the summer of last year, the outfit have already built up a good following in the wake of debut EP Last Birth and are now looking to consolidate their shining promise with new release Is It Me?, self-produced and out now on all good platforms.

There’s a lot of influences stemming into FONZY & COMPANY, from the legendary prog-rockers RUSH to the highly talented Brian Fallon and the snotty-nosed grit of GREEN DAY. Is It Me? does well to incorporate a number of these and never feel like the band are trying to cover as many bases are possible. The opening title track is instantly accessible, infusing pop punk with Americana and anchored by a driving guitar line from the eponymous Fonzy, whilst the combination of his vocals with fellow bandmate Olivia Jury are a pleasing mix. There’s a lot of heart in their voices which comes to the foreground in Automatic Crying that pushes into alternative rock territory in the process; the result is a catchy and upbeat tune that is impossible to remain stationary for, particularly when Zack Reed enters at the end on saxophone. It’s So Real slows things down and has tinges of CREEPER about it; once again, the vocals are the highlight as Fonzy and Olivia fully cut loose displaying their power and soul in abundance.

The second half of the EP brings things up again with Hella Sweet, a foundation in THE OFFSPRING helping to provide another infectious groove and feel-good moment. Jazz Tongue is the overall highlight, a rumbling, funk-laden bassline from Jed Long marrying brilliantly with Reed‘s sax talents and creating a track full of class and coolness, almost daring anyone not to strut down a street and feel on top of the world. Closing the EP is Zack’s Song, a delicate and emotive piece that acts as a fine finishing track. Sedate and downbeat, it brings in elements from a more post-punk and ambient world, yet doesn’t feel out of place among the electric guitars and thumping drums of before.

There aren’t many music scenes across the UK as vibrant as Bristol’s and FONZY & COMPANY are testament to that. This is a glittering package of promise and ambition from five confident individuals and this should give them a good foundation as they move forward into 2021 intent on bigger and better things.

Rating: 7/10

Is It Me? is out now via self-release.

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