9 o’clock Nasty – Heavy
“Heavy” is the latest release by 9 o’clock Nasty, a prolific English genre-defying trio based in Leicester. Serving as a sixth standalone single from “Chaos,” their highly anticipated upcoming full-length, slated for release on March 13th, 2026, it further demonstrates their tremendous creativity, talent, and willingness to deliver a completely fresh, unique, innovative, and exciting listening experience. Lyrically, this song represents everything the world needs right now. In these weird, crazy, violent times, where ongoing conflicts make living a normal life much more difficult, 9 o’clock Nasty invites us to resist, rebel, and revolt by embracing the hardships of the modern era and dancing to the rhythm of their latest song. The band shares a clear statement that dance can be part of the revolution or kissing can be an act of rebellion, while pointing out that we all have different opinions about every possible theme or issue. It seems that 9 o’clock Nasty found a way out of this chaos by simply embracing different views and stances, and that life could be much easier if we learn to accept the fact that everyone sees the world through different lenses. Therefore, “Heavy” represents a soundtrack for these crazy, troubling, weird times, perfectly assembled by three wise, knowledgeable, experienced musicians.
Photo courtesy of the band.Perhaps 9 o’clock Nasty use all those fundamental elements of punk rock as a foundation for this fine piece of sonic artistry, but do not be surprised if you stumble upon many different but complementary music genres. The trio incorporated some of the finest properties of various electronic music genres, like electro pop, electronic dance music, and techno. There are some alternative, indie, rock, and pop-punk elements included along the way as well, and it’s nearly mindblowing how everything fits so nicely. With a comprehensive collection of various genres like this, “Heavy” showcases a new face of modern post-punk music. It retains the core of this longstanding style while proving it can still sound innovative when done right. At first, you’ll notice how the band wisely introduces you to the song with such a minimalist approach. The instrumentations are catchy, memorable, and engaging enough to pull you into this sonic whirlwind, with each new layer of sound gradually appearing in the mix. The best part about this composing and arranging techinques is how the song retains that easy-listening atmosphere while the instrumentation are profoundly detailed. It vividly demonstrates their dedication to the craft and continuous evolution as a band.
9 o’clock Nasty are masters in assembling memorable compositions where, wisely assembled, flawlessly programmed, well-accentuated beats, breaks, fills, and other percussive acrobatics contribute massive groove and detail. That’s the case here as well. You’ll notice how electronic rhythmic patterns and sequences act as a foundation that carries the entire composition. In the meantime, the combination of analog and synth bass maneuvers uplifts this track even more, with all those warm, deep, heavy, groovy lines lurking all around and shaping a perfect backdrop for the remainder of the synth works, guitars, and vocals to shine upon. The synths play signfiicant role here, as all those leads, themes, melodies, and harmonies perfectly pair with nearly funky, jangly, angular, but also tastefully distorted chord progressions. It’s nearly mindblowing how guitars and synths work in the mix, with each layer articulating separately from the remainder of the instrumentation without spoiling the ambiance. Last but not least, the vocals shine here, with all those lead performances, additional vocal layers, back vocals, and sing-alongs offering more melody and harmony over the top. These vocal harmonies not only decorate all the segments and instrumentations, but also elevate the entire composition to new heights. You’ll notice how every line commands attention and guides you through the expansive sonic universe built by the mentioned instrumentations.
9 o’clock Nasty never cease to amaze. With “Heavy,” they not only showcase what you might expect from their upcoming album, but also break all the rules, shapeshift the boundaries, and push all the limits of so many music genres at once. With each new song, their creativity and talent shine even more, and if there’s any song that vividly demonstrates 9 o’clock Nasty’s luxurious sound, then that’s this one. Therefore, head to your favorite music platform and listen to it loud!
https://youtu.be/G2-TCmgzFLs?si=V7v3EsDvKOceUPGY
https://open.spotify.com/track/3Td87VqHRbnAAggSWWPIJh?si=5b9e9b0e148c451b
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