Darko - “Cruel To Be”
As an OG Glassjaw and Thursday fan, I’ve got a soft spot for a blend of punk and hardcore, especially when the band is super tight. I’m not suggesting a strong sonic comparison, but I am saying that this is up my alley. Darko, from the UK, get right to it with “Cruel To Be,” blending infectious riffs and high energy drumming with sick, melodic guitar runs that flex the muscles of math rock. Vocals are earnest and compelling—gotta love that shouting, raspy goodness! But it’s not just random, emotive shouting. I would be remiss not to address the subject matter here. The lyrics are potent, calling into question the virtue of being nice in response to atrocious behavior, arguing that it’s important to fight back and “drive these swine to answer for their crimes.” They bravely navigate the conundrum of engaging with wrongdoers who attack in order to discredit those trying to expose the truth of their wickedness, exploring relevant themes in a powerful, nuanced way.
The chorus melody slays, in a genre-appropriate, catchy-but-not-too-catchy brilliance. “We all know something that other people don’t/So be kind but draw a line/Being nice is nice but doesn’t make it right/(Draw the line)/Civil, not civilised.” And just when I think maximum musical awesomeness has been achieved, the bridge arrives. With jazzy chords and a sweet bass groove, this segment of the track is such a fantastic departure and return to the song that, on its own, makes this a must-listen for fans of high energy music! And with lyrics this powerful and relevant, “Cruel To Be“ is a song with a message that is worth sharing.