Razz - Nocturnal (2017)

After their spectacular debut, the natives of Emsland in the west German state of Lower Saxony come across in this cross-genre sophomore effort as a musically mature unit with an unerring feel for expansive melodies. It takes a band like Razz, really still kids themselves, to demonstrate that, even in 2017, you can still touch people’s hearts and make a statement with guitar-based music, as long as you go about your business with euphoria, passion, conviction, and a ton of talent. This album, produced by Stephen Street (The Smiths, Blur, Kaiser Chiefs and others), stringently documents an impressive musical development. It’s a work that pushes all of the supposed rules to the point of parody. A work that pulses with the utter freshness, outstanding songwriting, and clearly defined musical identity that can emerge only from the shared conviction of a closely connected group of musicians – a work that could turn the world on its head, if only for a moment. With their debut album, “With Your Hands We’ll Conquer,” Razz offered the world an irresistible manifesto for modern guitar music. “Nocturnal” takes a huge step further, and is even more savvy, diverse, determined, and melodic.