Johnny & the Man Kids – Everything is From Now On
Buffalo’s Johnny & the Man Kids have been a reliable source of garage pop goodness for about a decade now, and their foothold in the local scene is both established and well-deserved. Following up on 2023’s It’s Nice to Meet You Again, the now five-piece indie rock outfit of siblings Johnny, Jake, and Tyler Marciniak along with Andi Pszonak and Alex Bogart have returned with Everything is From Now On, their latest EP and our album of the week. It’s another welcome entry from a band that has gotten deservedly comfortable in the realm of indie rock, showcasing their unique ability to blend songs that feel light and easy with astonishing levels of heart.
That brand is immediately apparent on Everything is From Now On. The EP confidently navigates the band’s strengths, from the riff-driven energy of opener “The Way Things Go,” to the layered, party-like atmosphere of “Mr. Cunningham.” The band’s playful side gets a spotlight with “Play Ball!,” a song whose charm lies partly in its unapologetically straightforward baseball theme and partly in its production, which embraces a deliberate, endearing clumsiness that feels like listening in on a band simply having a great time. The rich instrumentation and feel-good comradery found on this sector of the record will speak to fans of the sorely-missed indie outfit Dr. Dog.
The EP balances this buoyant energy by delving into moments of emotional depth. This is particularly evident in tracks like “Sometimes,” an EP highlight that captures a potent bittersweet nostalgia while retaining the group’s signature joyous shimmer. “Not Anymore” similarly leans into vulnerability, utilizing delicate fingerpicked electric guitar and expansive backing vocals rich with ‘oohs’ and aahs’ to underscore themes of growth and understanding. It stands as perhaps the EP’s most affecting composition. It is precisely this juxtaposition – placing exuberant fun alongside such emotionally intelligent reflection – that makes JatMK’s work so engaging.
The collection closes on a quiet note with the brief, lo-fi sleepiness of “Weezer Luv,” stripping down to acoustic elements and a simple, confessional vocal. It’s a nice little curtain call that once again highlights the band’s range. Everything is From Now On arranges its component parts – high-spirited indie rock, thoughtful songwriting, infectious group energy, and expansive production techniques – into a cohesive whole. After a decade of releases, the band has a clear understanding of their sonic identity, wandering capably within it while occasionally sticking their arms outside the coaster. Everything is From Now On is now streaming on major platforms.
Categorised in: Album of the Week
This post was written by Ronald Walczyk