Review: The Drowns – “Know Who You Are”

Pirates Press Records – 28 Jan 2022

The Drowns channel the spirit of Slade and the ’70s on their fun new seven inch.

I might as well just admit it. I loved The Drowns’ second album, 2020’s Under Tension. I know I’m not the only one. They really seemed to have discovered a punk formula that resonated with a lot of folks. So how did they decide to follow that up? With something completely different.

Slade is probably best known to American audiences by way of Quiet Riot’s biggest hit, “Cum on Feel the Noize”. (Those of us of a certain age also remember the hard rocking and bad spelling of QR’s version of “Mama Weer All Crazee Now” and Britny Fox’s take on “Gudbuy T’ Jane”.) The pub/glam band predated punk by a decade in their native UK, but were highly influential to the movement. They were also very commercially successful with 17 top 20 hits. 

The Drowns have now officially joined the ranks of Quiet Riot and Britny Fox with Know Who You Are. (Spiritually, if not stylistically.) “Know Who You Are” originally appeared on Slade’s 1970 debut Play It Loud. (The cover photo, however, is an homage to 1972’s Slayed. Go figure.) It was an album cut, not a hit, and an interesting choice for a cover. 

The Drowns do not attempt to modernize it, but rather embrace it in all its ‘70s glory. The twin guitars interplay beautifully, the singing leads dancing over the crunching chords. The raspy lead vocals interact similarly with the smooth harmonies. They definitely captured the fun, playful vibe they were shooting for. Surely the B-side is the rough edged punk we’ve come to expect from The Drowns, right? Wrong. It’s an original song in the same classic rock style called “Guidelines of Control”. It’s got big drums, complete with cowbell, and a giant, ‘70s riff. 

Even if this isn’t exactly what I was expecting from The Drowns, the band has certainly earned the right to a little self-indulgence. Especially when it’s something most people are going to dig. It remains to be seen whether Know Who You Are is a new direction, or more likely, a fun little rabbit hole. Either way, it will keep us entertained, and wondering, until the new full length drops. It’s probably best just to relax and enjoy the ride. 

For vinyl fiends: Pirates Press Records, as usual, has done a nice job with the small details on the physical release. It’s a clear yellow, big hole seven inch with vintage looking labels, and a cover that even appears to have ring wear.