As someone who’s completely new to Klokwise, my first impression upon listening to their new single “Bustin’ Out” was one of jubilation. I always enjoy when a band fully embraces the hip hop side of nu metal, especially with such reckless abandon as they have on this song. Klokwise are clearly a group of rambunctious young scallywags who know how to throw down the tunes.
The thing that makes ”Bustin’ Out” such a powerhouse is Mitch Maidens on drums. The way Maidens switches between the Bizkit-esque bounce grooves to a speedy drum n bass before smoothly transitioning from the breakdown back into the main chorus makes it look like light work. Of course, we cannot leave out the upbeat synergy of the troublesome Turnbull brothers. Nathan Turnbull’s guitar work beautifully platforms Jesse’s bars about being able to freely express oneself, his guitar’s natural harmonics grooving along with Jesse’s scream raps. While David Monks isn’t playing it too fancy on the bass, his chunky tone is enough to provide a good bottom layer to the song.
From the catchy hook “No fear just freedom, let me be me”, to the turntables sizzling amidst the bouncy chorus, to the smooth tempo switch into a breakbeat section, to their trademark “Wise up! Time’s up!” gang shouts, “Bustin’ Out” is a beautiful mosh-pit rager ripped fresh out of the 2000s. I feel like if this were released back during nu metal’s heyday, it would have been a hit back then as well. As of today I’m gonna keep my ear to the ground for these guys.
