Bilk – Essex, Drugs and Rock and Roll

Bright-eyed, Essex-born rock trio, Bilk, is ready for the world to experience their sophomore record, Essex, Drugs and Rock and Roll, and it is evident that frontman Sol Abrahams (vocals, guitar), Luke Hare (bass) and Harry Gray (drums) have found themselves. All 13 songs come together in an unserious yet charismatic concoction that displays the band’s love for the craft, especially when they are given free rein to do it as they wish.

Essex, Drugs and Rock and Roll begins with the classic retro sounds reminiscent of rock legends that came decades before them; the opener, RnR, discusses what rock and roll means for Bilk by going through the typical tropes associated with the phrase and genre. It has a quintessential rock and roll production, and the theming of the album develops as RnR transitions into Slag. 

As its title suggests, Bilk holds humour as a key aspect of their personality. The impression of Slag, as well as the rest of the project, is an almost ridiculous hyperbolic representation of how society views sex and partying; although not the most lyrically dense or original topic within rock music, there is something to be honoured about Bilk’s pride in how they leave little to no room for other interpretations.

Bilk does not stick to one concept and explores the different subgenres of rock. Skidmark, although acoustic, is an unapologetically vulgar breakup dedication; the contradiction between the choppy strums of the guitar and the aggressive, point-blank words add to its disposition, especially considering how Abrahams talk-sings with a slight sadness to his voice. More blatant comedy returns in F Up, Very Nice Life and This Room Is Caving In On Me, three Brit-pop-inspired moments that circle back to earlier ideas touched upon in RnR and Slag. The most honest Bilk allows themselves to be is in Turning Pages where Abrahams solemnly discusses thoughts of hopelessness and self-esteem drawbacks; this suggests that he was not earnest at the beginning of the record, which is an interesting development for the album.

In short, Bilk’s Essex, Drugs and Rock and Roll shows that music does not have to be grim, stone-faced, heavy or profound. It is impressive that the trio is able to laugh at themselves as well as how the world views their behaviours with pure, unadulterated confidence.

Taryn Crowley
Image: Marie Lehman

Essex, Drugs and Rock and Roll is released on 24^th January 2025. For further information or to order the album visit Bilk’s website here.

Watch the video for the single here: