The latest single from New Zealand trio Napoleon Baby, 'Blueprint', is a raw and raucous indictment of a life lived on autopilot. Channelling the raw energy of The Stooges and the sharp social commentary of The Jam, the track is a potent cocktail of frustration and defiance.
In perfect form, 'Blueprint' kicks off with an insistent, single-note guitar riff that burrows its way into your brain, underpinning Daniel Jones' sardonic vocals. "25 years I want 25 more," he sings, his voice dripping with a weary yearning. The lyrics paint a picture of someone drifting through life, ticking off societal milestones without ever truly questioning their purpose. "I want something I want, not something I need. Education or a moment with god," Jones declares, capturing the emptiness of chasing prescribed desires.
This isn't another empty song about rejecting societal norms; it's a scathing critique of those who blindly embrace them. As Jones shared, "I kept meeting people, becoming friends, then notice then completely disassociate from who they are, all because they’ve been raised to believe the time is now to end the way we live.”
There's a sense of both disdain and envy in his voice – disdain for the "strive for mediocrity," yet envy for the blissful ignorance that comes with it. "It could also be that I’m a nightmare of a person and they can’t be around me anymore," he adds, a wry admission of his own outsider status.
Musically, the song is a shambling tour de force that backs Jones’ vocals and sentiments perfectly. Guitars flow and fire with a jangling, easy melody, arching with a raw indie rock style that carves out a unique niche. It’s a visceral sound that imprints on you, scratching away with an authentic charm that showcases the band’s talents.
'Blueprint' is a call to arms for anyone who feels trapped by the mundane. It's a reminder that life doesn't have to be a pre-ordained path, and that true fulfilment lies in forging your own way. With its infectious energy and thought-provoking lyrics, this track is sure to resonate with those who refuse to be defined by societal expectations. If this single is anything to go by, the upcoming 'Blueprint' EP promises to be a powerful and uncompromising statement from a band that's not afraid to challenge the status quo.
For more from Napoleon Baby, be sure to follow the band on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok. For those in Auckland, you can catch the band at Ponsonby Social Club on the 1st of March in support of the EP’s release.
