‘Lo Mejor De Lo Mejor’, roughly translating to ‘The Best of the Best’, is the latest offering from Newcastle ska scamps, Goodsprings.
Opening with a punch, the song quickly develops into an old-school dub-reggae bop, featuring almost haunting horn fades and classic guitar upstrokes.
Originally recorded as a live track that has since evolved, it reads as a courageously positive love letter to both the band and the listener.
While the influence of bands such as Sublime is undeniable, I also hear twinges of the Cherry Poppin’ Daddies, along with a song that wouldn’t be out of place in a live swing club.
Elements like vocal ad-libs and a transcendent instrumental interlude, complete with a buttery bassline, hark back to this and make the listening experience more personal.
Sam’s strung-out tones skip alongside the backbeat of percussion and into the sometimes oblique instrumental arrangements. It creates an unapologetic skanking anthem by a band that name-checks themselves mid-song, which makes them fabulous in my book.
You can listen to the track now on all major streaming platforms.
