EP Review: DARKO – Canvas (Lockjaw Records)

Surrey progressive punks DARKO will release their brand-new EP, ‘Canvas’, on July 18th, 2025, via Lockjaw Records. The EP serves as the final piece of the conceptual puzzle that ties all of the band’s recent releases together, relating to their Greyscale and Sparkle EP’s both lyrically and thematically.

What a journey we’ve been on with DARKO and what a culmination this is. Three EPs, one grand and inventive listen experience that might tell many individual stories, but overall, tells the story of DARKO’s evolution. They’ve grown so much over the past few years and this EP embodies that perfectly.

Coming out of the blocks hot, Grey Havens is an instrumental opener with power, and an immediate example of how DARKO infuse emotion into their music with surprising ease. It is impressive, especially when you take into account the lack of vocals, which are so important to DARKO. Not just because vocalist Tom West is such an energised and passionate performer, but because the lyrics are so potent.

Case in point, Dared to Dream and the title track. The former explodes into life, punk-infused life, but quickly transforms into something alternatively anthemic with a post infusion. Whereas the latter is progressively exhilarating and creatively memorable. DARKO’s delivery is outstanding and their innate ability to be so varied is consistently impressive. Especially when it comes with a brilliant blast of powerful punk rock such as what Override! offers.

That it comes with such an important statement wrapped up in anthemic style, makes it all the better. Growth as a band and as a human being.

The aptly titled Hectic comes next and is DARKO in a boisterous mood, digging into their heavier bag of tricks and pulling out some punches. It’s only a little over a minute long so if this side of the band isn’t to your taste, it doesn’t hang about. What’s not to love though! It’s just a part of who DARKO are alongside their hyperactive alternative ways as evident on the infectious Goodbye Bastards and the lively AUX III. The latter track does give off some At the Drive-in vibes, which if you know how awesome that band was, should be taken as high praise.

DARKO – Canvas Track Listing:

1. Grey Havens
2. Dared to Dream
3. Canvas
4. Override!
5. Hectic
6. Goodbye Bastards
7. Aux III

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