In the summer of 2024, cult rock band Healthy Junkies shared their ‘Favourite Place’ single which touted them as an energy driven garage rock band. The single’s mix of rock, punk ‘n’ roll and accented vocals served up a track with not only a distinctive sound, but a number which sounded like it would translate brilliantly in the band’s live set.

Their eagerly awaited follow up, ‘Dead Souls’ could not be more different. There are moments where the vocal makes it very clear that this is still the work of the same band, but musically, it’s far richer. More mature, even.

The intro serves up a huge guitar sound, and its ringing tones eschew the band’s previous punky elements for something that comes much closer to a chunky sounding indie band from the 90s. The shimmering sounds that join the chunkier riffs even bring in an element of dream pop – it wouldn’t be a great leap of faith to imagine something similar coming from Keeley – and the mid tempo even hints at a late 80s goth-esque atmosphere. Joining the great riff, a massively melodic voice sells a swooning verse, before the band’s punchier aspects take over for a simple rocky chorus. The musical sequence then repeats, ensuring listeners can really get to grips with a great riff, and although this feels like the polar opposite to ‘Favourite Place’, fans should be able to find a strong musical bond with their earlier ‘Desire’. With a confident sound and great musical hooks, it’s one of the Junkies’ best tracks to date.

In a little under three minutes, ‘Dead Souls’ might feel like the sum of its influences and play more for a classic sound at the expense of true inventiveness, but a few plays will set it in place as one of 2024’s finest singles.

Take a listen below.

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