Simon Maggs & People Like Us are not about to back off with their new single, "Josef K," the lead track on their debut EP, The Elusive Truth. It strikes a balance between the gravity of social criticism and an infectious hook, "Josef K" draws from Kafka's The Trial rather than the '80s act of the same name, so it delivers a timely message while employing a timeless sound.
If protest songs have traditionally served as rallying cries for change, "Josef K" is the kind that makes you think and tap your feet. With a buoyant '60s West Coast bounce that pays homage to Buffalo Springfield, "Josef K" is filled with nostalgia while sounding militantly present. It ponders how far we've come as a society and how much further we have yet to go.
Maggs and his collective, People Like Us, make a sound that's as at home as a classic but also as urgent as the day's headlines. With clever, thought-provoking lyrics, "Josef K" doesn't just entertain. It teases you to think more deeply about justice, authority, and the perennial struggles in our world. "JosefK's infectious melodies help drive home those heavy themes, with anthemic qualities that are equal parts pensive and uplifting.
Simon Maggs's comments on the release, "Josef K," are about asking the right questions. Josef K is a meditation on where we are as a society, and I hope it speaks to people searching for more than just a great hook."
In an era when music is used as escape and activism, "Josef K "hits the sweet spot, intriguing enough to make an impression but melodic enough to go on repeat. It's an irresistible earworm for anyone who likes a little substance with their groove.