P-Funk North – “Don’t Even Ask”

October 11th, 2019

P-Funk North is a Reggae Rock band out of North Plainfield, New Jersey. The band consists of Dave (bass/vocals), Ryan (drums/percussions/engineer), and Kevin (guitar). This band has the sound that blends together Reggae, Rock, Ska, Punk, and a bunch of other influences. P-Funk North recently released “Don’t Even Ask”, a ten track album that is nothing short of awesome! I was a fan before, but this new album has solidified P-Funk North presence on my daily playlists! Check out my take on some of the tracks off this album!

“Don’t Even Ask” starts off with Headrush, one of my favorite tracks on the album. I love this song as the beginning of the album because it has all the classic Reggae Rock vibes you could ask for. This is one of those songs you could listen to on the beach, at a party, in your car; wherever! The feel good vibes of the instrumentals will keep you wanting more and more. Dave’s vocals shine throughout this song. Fan’s of P-Funk North will be singing the words back to him every times! “Throw it down, light it up, It’s just a headrush. Out of sight out of mind, and body experience but I say, once that system crashes down there’s bound to be an overload.” The final chorus and jam session at the end (that is very reminiscent of Sublime) is going to have crowds going crazy.

Later on, the album continues with I Can’t Swim (feat. James Evan) and Insomnia. These are two bangers that will become fan favorites. I Can’t Swim has that hip hop style similar to Dirty Heads. If you didn’t know, I’m a huge Dirty Heads fan, so this song immediately caught my attention. The instrumentals will hook every listener in. The guitar compliments the guitar kick that keeps you head banging the entire song. Add to that, Dave’s wordplay is so smooth on this one! “Get lit, spit like I got a lisp, murder this beat, call me serial like Cookie Crisp.” The album moves on with Insomnia, a song that is going to appeal to all those ska/punk fans. This song really stands out to me because it is a much heavier sound in comparison to the remainder of the album. What impressed me is how well P-Funk North was able to hold to the Reggae Rock style while adding the heavier instrumentals. I can see the crowds skankin’ away every time this song is played.

The other three songs that really stood out to me on this album are the final three tracks, The Treatment (feat. Mighty Mystic), Alibi (feat. LDontheCut), and Cold One. The Treatment is P-Funk North’s tribute to everyone’s favorite lady, Mary Jane. “It is what it is and that’s all it will ever be, it’s P-Funk North getting blazed for all eternity. THC should be OTC at you local CVS pharmacy. No matter the time frame, schedule remains the same, number one like heroin, ecstasy and mescaline. Don’t tell me it’s a sin, you know it’s only medicine.” The message behind the song isn’t the only thing that’s going to please the ears of their listeners. The heavier guitar chords and drumming give a vibe like The Expendables, a sound that fans will love!

Alibi (feat. LDontheCut) follows up, and it is my favorite song on “Don’t Even Ask”. I predict that this is going to be a favorite for many people. Having LDontheCut (DJ for Sublime with Rome) on the track adds that irresistible Sublime style that people can’t get enough of. The boys of P-Funk North rose to the challenge, took on the Sublime style, and fucking crushed it! The album ends with Cold One, a perfect ending to a sure to be classic album. Cold One was such a great choice to end the album because it is the perfect party song. Anyone who goes to their show will be dancing their ass of while singing at the top of their lungs. “I believe that I am out of my mind, living the American dream, cracking a cold one with the boys.” The ending of this song is where the crowd will really lose it. I can just see the mosh pits forming with a smile on every single person’s face.

P-Funk North put out one of the best Reggae Rock albums of the year. “Don’t Even Ask” is loaded with ten tracks that pack a punch. No matter what mood you’re in, these songs are sure to put you in a good mood. I can’t wait to catch these guys live! Make sure you keep up with P-Funk North on all their social media accounts, and check out some of their music on the blog’s Spotify playlist: After Hours Review!