Zulu drop their debut album A New Tomorrow on March 3rd, marking it the first set of new songs from the group since the release of 2020’s My People…Hold On. With that in mind, Zulu have brought to the table a massive sense of empowerment wrapped up in some of the most eclectic and inspiring songs of the bands career to date. Showing signs of blatant, punchy hardcore and ripping powerviolence, the Los Angeles 5-piece also drops some styling of R&B, Reggae, Hip-Hop, Spoken Word, among other things; these guys are really out to prove they have just as much a place in this community as anyone.
Opening track ‘Africa’ is a minute long instrumental piece that eases into the album with a catchy African drum beat. At which point the album comes crashing in with track two, ‘For Sista Humphrey’. With a catchy string section and two step vibes this track is a perfect fit for album opener, and as we make our way through the album we are met with the track ‘Where I’m From’ at number five. Featuring the likes of Soul Glo‘s Pierce Jordan and Playtime‘s Obioma Ugonna, this number boasts a more hardcore/punk influence respectively, giving fans something to jump around to as we hit the single ‘Fakin’ Tha Funk (You Get Did)’ a single that will no doubt inspire carnage live and embolden spirits on record.
Hitting the halfway point of the album, the listener is met with the most enchanting, ambient style track ‘Shine Eternally’, which runs for about three minutes making it one of the longer tracks on this bombastic record. Following it is ‘Lyfe Az A Shorty Shun B So Ruff’. Brought forward with an almost death metal zeal, further adding even more welcome and dexterous variety to the melting pot of Zulu’s inspirations, it makes you appreciate how the band gave that three minutes of calm just moments before.
Spoken word piece ‘Creme De Cassis’ by Aleisia Miller & Precious Tucker comes in shedding light on the struggles of being Black in a Caucasian male dominated world. Amidst the chaos and energetic power of the record, it’s a welcome albeit sobering respite, one that further harkens to the crucial nature of this record. The proceeding ‘We’re More Than This’ eases its way in with a jazzier, almost R&B style. Although employing different techniques, both shed light on very important messages on race inequality in America, proving that Zulu can share their message in any style you’d ever need them to.
‘Fatal Strikes’ smashes in featuring the likes of Paris Roberts of Truth Cult. Although a lot of the tracks display a punk orientated slamming style to them; ‘Fatal Strikes‘ comes in with a more metallic hardcore element that every listener will appreciate. With a slick and catchy lead guitar section followed by on of the hardest breakdowns on the album, this track is for sure going to be kept on repeat.
Finishing off the album is the longest song on the entire album. At four minutes 14 seconds, Zulu comes smashing in with ‘Who Jah Bless No One Curse’. Entering the picture with classic powerviolence blast beats and then dropping into some fun two step the song seems like it couldn’t get any more fun and energetic. But wait, because the listener is not prepared for the last two minutes of this track; as it climaxes on a most beautiful note with borderline shoegaze beauty, the last half of this track gives the listener the moment to sit back and appreciate the piece of art they just witnessed with their ears.
In an age where the hardcore scene has become saturated, A New Tomorrow is truly, inarguably a record of utmost power. Shining true light on the hardships people of colour face not just within the United States but the world over, showcasing the collective encyclopedic knowledge of music the band as a collective harness and delivered with a sense of pure zeal that counters the stagnating status of the punk scene, A New Tomorrow is the dawning of a new age of hardcore. Much akin to Turnstile‘s Glow On, this is an album that will rejuvenate, inspire and reshape the community for years to come and will be hailed as a benchmark for what constitutes as brilliant and crucial hardcore for rest of days. Truly, this is crucial and urgent listening for all.