Not Another Playne Jayne – Liar (Single Review)

“Liar,” the latest single from Not Another Playne Jayne, wastes absolutely no time dragging you into its gritty, hard-hitting atmosphere. From the very first second, the band plunges the listener into a ferocious wall of guitar. It’s intense, raw, and dripping with a kind of restrained fury that feels immediately familiar to fans of classic metal and rock. There’s no gentle build-up here; it’s straight into the chaos, a bold choice that pays off by signalling the emotional intensity that underpins the entire track.

Hailing from the US, Not Another Playne Jayne delivers a sound that’s dark, yet not without moments of redemption, which is a stylistic signature they’ve become known for. “Liar” leans heavily into this identity, echoing influences from 80s metal legends and early hard rock pioneers. There’s a nostalgic weight to the track, yet it doesn’t feel recycled. Instead, it sounds like a song that could have been born in a smoky club in 1986 and still somehow feels alive and relevant today.

Lyrically, “Liar” explores the sting of betrayal, the painful realization of discovering someone is just like everyone else who’s let you down. This theme is given visceral energy through vocals that oscillate between clean lines and a well-executed dry or fry scream; a technique that’s popularised in more extreme subgenres like death metal and screamo. It’s aggressive without being overbearing, and emotionally charged without losing clarity. The screams don’t just add noise; they add texture, amplifying the disillusionment in the lyrics.

The band’s three-piece setup doesn’t limit their sound, if anything, it sharpens it. Each member pulls their weight, and the chemistry is undeniable. The vocals sit perfectly in the mix, locking in with the pounding rhythm and distorted riffage in a way that feels effortlessly cohesive. Backing vocals, delivered in a higher register, give the song extra dimension and provide brief moments of contrast against the otherwise brooding tone. It’s subtle, but essential and a reminder that even in anger, there are layers.

Guitar work on “Liar” is particularly noteworthy. It’s not just loud; it’s emotionally articulate. The playing feels like a clenched fist, tense, furious, and never quite letting go. Whether it’s chugging through the verses or screaming through a solo, the guitar communicates just as much pain and betrayal as the lyrics do.

SCORE/Good – With the band now beginning to release music under their new name Hunter Down, “Liar” feels like a compelling closing chapter for Not Another Playne Jayne, a sonic bridge between past and future. It’s a track that doesn’t just showcase technical proficiency or genre knowledge, but a deep emotional authenticity that elevates it above many of its peers. “Liar” doesn’t whisper its message; it shouts it, and it dares you not to feel something.

[We rank singles, EPs, and albums on a scale of Poor, Mediocre, Good, Excellent, and Outstanding]

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