Do Nothing - Zero Dollar Bill

If Sleaford Mods are the product of all the venom and bile in Nottingham, then perhaps Do Nothing are the city’s more optimistic counter-point. The youthful vigour and laid-back swagger of ‘Zero Dollar Bill’ is a far more wholesome post-punk affair than that of their more confrontational neighbours. The EP is packed with wonky basslines, probing guitars and a warbling stream-of-consciousness from singer Chris Bailey, who pleads “Don’t ever leave your wingman, don’t bail on your buddies” on journeying opener ‘Comedy Gold’. He’s the band’s dynamic focal point, asking important questions like “Will you still love me if my hair falls out?” on the kinetic centrepiece ‘Contraband’. With the gentle groove of highlight ‘New Life’, the Do Nothing listening experience is exemplified as a kind of musical sermon. So tight and precise is Chris’ backing that the band as a whole feel less like verse-and-chorus merchants than dynamic storytelling machines. Even over the flashing chords and Talking Heads-like cow bells of lead single ‘LeBron James’, the singer is able to spin a compelling yarn about having dinner with the eponymous basketball star. Throw into the mix a sprinkling of Pulp-like Britpop and you’ve got one of the most complete EPs of 2020 so far.