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Review: Vukovi – My God Has Got A Gun

"The Scottish duo's fourth full-length is a captivating cathartic, vulnerable, and empowering collection delivered with confidence"

Vukovi My God Has Got A GunFor 15 years, Vukovi have forged their own path. Unapologetically unique, and refusing to get lost in the shuffle of their peers, the Scottish duo have repeatedly shown confidence to do it their way. Having grabbed our attention with their 2017 self-titled outing, the Glasgow outfit has evolved from their highly energetic brand of rock. 2020’s ‘Fall Better’ and 2022’s ‘NULA’ stretched into electro-rock and industrial-pop territory. Meanwhile, as songwriters, Janine Shilstone (vocals) and Hamish Reilly (guitar) have grown to deliver personal and complex songs. The arrival of ‘My God Has Got A Gun’ marks a bold new chapter that considerably captures Vukovi at their creative peak.

The eerie opening seconds of ‘This Is My Life and My Trauma’ set out an uneasy but cinematic scene. A choir-like vocals gives way to a brief, rumbling onslaught of drums and metallic guitars. ‘Gungho’ kickstarts the album with Shilstone’s distinctive vocals wrapping around a stomping chorus. While Reilly’s guitar charges ahead with epic vigour.

Throughout, Janine Shilstone’s vocals prove to be acrobatic and full of personality. This allows her to share compelling stories, delivered with emotion. Tracks such as ‘Fallen Behind’ prosper with desperation and an evocative soundscape. It is her inner turmoil that threads ‘My God Has Got A Gun’ together. ‘Fuc Kit Up’ amplifies this significantly. “I’m not really fucking fine because I’m not, and I know things will get better, but what if not?” she repeatedly ponders before delivering a storming, textured chorus. Likewise, the title track sees Shilstone being upfront, singing about the mental toll depression has taken on her.  It’s masked by her playful delivery and Hamish’s boisterous riffs. Elsewhere, Shilstone is provocative on ‘Cowboy’ with its airy and hedonistic ticking guitar.

As the record moves forward, ‘Misty Ecstasy’ is assured in its bold sound and emotive vocals before ‘Sno’ serves up another album highlight. Brilliantly capturing Shilstone’s vulnerable and haunting vocals, the track ebbs and flows with gritty grandeur and a cathartic undertone. By honing in on a vivid and emotional sound, Vukovi is able to compel you dramatically.

Even though Shilstone’s voice tends to steal the show, Hamish’s guitar and the production work of Machine (Clutch, Press to MECO) have to be praised for the sheer ferocity scattered across these eleven tracks. Take ‘Peel’ as an example. Its razor-sharp execution rumbles with a bouncing, menacing tone. ‘Kitty’ follows it and sees Vukovi‘s ability to build tension come to the forefront. Its pulsating undertone explodes into a vibrant, galloping tempo chorus, backed by Reilly’s sonic fretwork. Lastly, ‘Bladed’ serves up a disjointed anthem of vulnerability and empowerment. Layered and chaotic, it’s a fitting finale that leaves you wanting more.

‘My God Has Got A Gun’ is undoubtedly Vukovi‘s best offering so far. By considerably going lyrically deeper and darker than ever before, Shilstone and Reilly have delivered a record that’s cathartic, vulnerable, and empowering in equal measure. It’s backed by an ability to write bombastic choruses filled with emotion, and stylistically explore rock’s vast tones with confidence. Vukovi continues to be uncompromised, exceeding expectations in the process.

‘My God Has Got A Gun’ by VUKOVI is released on January 24th, 2025 on Sharptone Records.

Find VUKOVI on: Facebook | X (Formerly Twitter) | Instagram | Spotify | Apple Music | Linktr.ee | Website

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