I don't want to regurgitate the self-inflicted clichés about Oi! too much, because fortunately, JEUNESSE APATRIDE stands out in more than one way. The band hails from Montréal, Québec, and sings in French and English, or rather: did, because this album also marks their farewell. After traveling and performing in various countries for 15 years, they disbanded this year. Another important feature is the explicitly antifascist and emancipatory message in the lyrics, the solidarity with corresponding projects and movements, and to ensure that everyone understands what is meant, there is a translation in the booklet. The content addresses social injustices, political solidarity among the exploited in society, and class struggle on a grassroots level. Skinhead music is always working class; here, no abstract intellectual manifestos are proclaimed, but it’s about life as it unfolds on the street, right under your nose. There is a healthy dose of anger about all the miserable conditions, and the singer delivers her catchy lines with punch. Musically, you can hear the familiar package of melodic punk rock at a mid to brisk tempo; the sing-along potential is unmistakable, and I suspect that it was always a thick party live. While they may not reinvent the wheel, the fact that some of the songs linger in my mind after a few days speaks to their quality. Rest in peace, stateless youth!
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