I am not a part of the Downtown Boys camp, but I have to imagine that they must be feeling pretty good about releasing their first record in nine years just days after the Democratic Socialists of America rolled to a number of election victories in New York and have been increasing their strength elsewhere, including the 3A6OG HQ of DC. For a band whose debut record was called “Full Communism” and included tracks like “100% Inheritance Tax” and “Break a Few Eggs,” their must have been more than a few loud cheers on election night about the results that came as a surprise to many around the country.
Indeed, it’s been nine years since Downtown Boys released their 2017 record, “Cost of Living," because they’ve been busy organizing a union (the band originally met in Providence when working at and organizing in a hotel) and doing other things to support workers and political change. They remain on legendary label Sub Pop, but this album arrives without much fanfare or promotion - there’s not even a video on YouTube for any of the songs. Old School and working class, through and through.
Speaking of surprises, the band brings a few of its own on Public Luxury. There are plenty of things about this record that are not surprising, of course, but what is surprising is what takes this album to a different depth and height. It is not surprising, for example, that powerhouse singer Victoria Marie opens the record by screaming the title to the first track, “No Me Jodas,” or “don’t fuck with me” (even if you don’t speak Spanish, like I don’t, you can more or less figure it out without Google translate). It is similarly not surprising that a track called “No Me Jodas” opens a Downtown Boys record, nor is the force they bring throughout the track. Downtown Boys have always brought force, and the opening track is a perfect example. Very heavy opening guitars and then transitions into galloping punk riffs, with interspersed backing vocals providing a perfect counterpoint to Victoria Marie’s tone midway through. You can get a sense of the performance here and the many things that are not surprising about what this band brings live. (Like I said, no promo videos - all I could find was this fan’s recording of the song at a show)
