April 5, 2021

Written By: Shanya Olivares

JANGUS KANGUS RELEASE THEIR EXUBERANT EP "ANXIETY"

As a part of Jangus Kangus social media followers, I have to tell you all, they’re pretty rad people. Jangus Kangus,  a 4-piece band led by a woman of color, their vocalist Jasmine Sankaran, accompanied by guitarist Kevin Nash, bassist Tristan Starr, and drummer Aviel Mann Ballo. This punk band has recently released their new EP, “Anxiety!” 

“This 4-song EP is an exuberant exploration of  uncertainty and existential dread in the current era, influenced by the likes of the Pixies, The Flaming Lips, and the homegrown LA punk sound.”

• -Jangus Kangus

The first track on this EP is titled ‘Life on the Fault Line.’ This song is one of my absolute favorites, maybe it’s the California native inside of me that craved a California song. This song is sure to make any California native outside of the golden state homesick, about earthquakes of all things! You know Jangus Kangus is amazing when they make a song this amazing when they’re only talking about earthquakes. 

The second track on this EP is a little more upbeat, fun enough to dance to, which is always amazing. This song, titled ‘Nowhere left to Run’ starts off with a different tune, but Jangus Kangus proves that they cannot disappoint with their music. This upbeat song is a reminiscent song following the theme of California and the emotions that come with it.

The third track in the Jangus Kangus EP is titled ‘Criminals,’ this song, while also upbeat, has more of a techno-modern feel to it. This song still manages to appeal to emotions with its lyrical content. This song reminds you of growing older, here, Jangus Kangus is reminded of how their good years are slipping away. I applaud this band for making something emotional and relatable while still keeping their music fun and unique to them.

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The final track in the ‘Anxiety!’ EP is titled ‘Sorry I’m Bad at Everything,’ and this is the one I was most excited for when I saw the track list. This song was incredible, I would love to go back and hear it again for the first time. The  song, while not as upbeat as the others, is an ode to feeling useless, and the guilt that comes with it. It’s an apology for all the times you simply weren’t good enough, or didn’t feel good enough to do what you did or be who you were at the moment. 

As a fan of women and minorities in punk rock, I definitely recommend Jangus Kangus to all fans of punk rock. This band is the newest addition to my ‘Women are so punk rock’ playlist and I wouldn’t have it any other way! Their new EP ‘Anxiety!’ is out now!