Vukovi

Scottish pop-punk outfit Vukovi fuse aggressive guitar-driven riffs with tuneful, hook-laden singing to produce an output that balances ferocity and playfulness in equal measure. Guitarist Hamish Reilly, bassist Jason Trotter, and drummer Martin Lynch had previously formed three-quarters of a prior project named Wolves, yet the original frontman proved inadequate and therefore left. Coincidentally, vocalist and synth player Janine Shilstone had recently been dismissed from another ensemble. In 2010, when Shilstone tried out for Wolves, the four musicians experienced immediate creative rapport. Her contributions transformed the group’s sonic direction so thoroughly that they opted for both a new moniker and a clean slate; the chosen name Vukovi translates as “wolves” in Serbian. Across the ensuing half-decade the quartet concentrated on refining their stage performances and cultivating a loyal audience while issuing intermittent singles and EPs, among them the Sweet Swears EP in 2012. Despite assorted obstacles and ongoing touring commitments, Vukovi eventually recorded and issued their self-titled debut album in 2017.