The Unknowns: Looking From The Outside [Album Review]

The Unknowns
Looking From The Outside
Drunken Sailor/ Bargain Bin Records [2025]

“Brisbane’s finest prove punk’s heartbeat is loud, fast, and very much alive in 2025.”

Album Overview: The Unknowns have stormed out of Brisbane’s punk scene with raw energy and a gift for no‑nonsense songwriting. Growing up in a scene built on grit, humor, and DIY spirit, they soaked up everything that makes Aussie punk tick. Over a handful of releases—most notably East Coast Low (2023)—they’ve built a loyal following while carving their own lane in modern punk. Their third LP, Looking From The Outside, is their strongest yet. It’s a blast of fast, hook‑laden tracks that balance melody and aggression without ever letting up. Sequenced like a sweaty club set, the record drives forward from the first chord to the final crash, leaving no room to catch your breath.

Musical Style: The Unknowns keep it lean and mean. Stripped‑down guitar riffs lock in with pounding drums, while flashes of garage grit and power choruses add dimension. The result? A sound that’s tight, direct, and built to stick in your head without overthinking it. They channel the no‑frills punch of classic punk but with enough twists to keep things fresh.

Evolution of Sound: Compared to their earlier work, Looking From The Outside sharpens everything—tighter songwriting, crisper production, and a better balance between melody and muscle. While East Coast Low thrived on pure rawness, this record adds a layer of finesse without losing its bite. It’s clear The Unknowns are leveling up and finding their sweet spot.

Artists with Similar Fire: If bands like Radio Birdman, The Saints, and Cosmic Psychos get your blood pumping, you’ll like The Unknowns. There are also shades of the Ramones’ no‑fuss drive, the muscular stomp of C.O.F.F.I.N. and Cutters, plus the gritty charge of Stiff Richards. It’s punk that nods to the past while kicking hard toward the future.

Pivotal Tracks: “Thunder In My Head” is the record’s banner‑waver—fast, loud, and perfect for blasting with the windows down. “Psychotic” brings a snarling, Sex Pistols‑like sneer, while “Lost Me” bursts wide open with a chorus built for shouting along. Then there’s “Tongue Tied,” clocking in at a quick 1:52, where the band pivots between locked‑in rhythms and isolated guitar/drum moments, throwing in catchy harmonies to keep things moving. Each track has its own spark, making it nearly impossible to play the album just once.

Lyrical Strength: The lyrics on Looking From The Outside stick to the essentials—frustration, defiance, release—delivered with blunt honesty. They may be simple, but they hit hard and feel lived‑in, matching the band’s punchy sound. Every shout, sneer, and chorus feels like it belongs to the crowd as much as the band.

Final Groove: Looking From The Outside is a ripper—loud, fast, and packed with hooks that cling to your brain. It’s got the snarl of classic punk but with a 2025 edge that makes it feel alive right now. The Australian punk scene is absolutely vibrating—endless buzzing local shows, new bands popping up everywhere, and a raw energy that’s catching fire globally. The Unknowns fit right in, riding that wave with a swagger all their own. They’ve hit their stride here, and if this is where they’re at now, the next chapter is going to be wild.

THE UNKNOWNS LINKS
Instagram | Bandcamp | Drunken Sailor Records | Bargain Bin Records