The world is blessed with so much new music that great music can slip right through the cracks without us even noticing. ‘Last Call’ was released upon the world in June, and I almost completely missed it. No Sugar comes to us from Germany, but I do not have much additional information about them. I have found an older full-length album from 2019 and an EP from 2018. What I do know is they have released an entertaining and engaging full-length album that will likely hit the sweet spot for a lot of you reading this right now.

Lead song ‘Time Without Money’ begins with a catchy beat that recalls the likes of the Hives or a rocking Royal Republic song. The chorus is catchy without being overbearing, and the final adrenaline rush over the final 30 seconds is done perfectly. ‘Freeway to the Firedome’ reminds me a bit of Frankie and the Studs who released a classic album of the year contender at the start of 2025. For those, like me, who miss Heavy Tiger, check out this song as your entry point. I swear there is another universe that features songs like this, so they are the huge hits they deserve to be. While I try to find a way to make that happen, let’s move on to the punky ‘Burn Both Ends’ where the band does not let up on the high-quality songs. Feeling a bit 77 influenced, the lead vocals fit perfectly and the transition into the guitar solo is sublimely done. The line of “I did it for the money, but I’m still broke” must be relatable for most of us.

‘A Scroll in the Park’ creates some awesome dynamics between the verses and the chorus where the chorus feels like the drums could move a mountain. The spoken word part in the song provides a cool change of pace. Wrapping up the first half of the album ‘We Need New Enemies’ showcases an album that moves from strength to strength. The guitar riffs recalling some action rock air guitar greatness. The mix on the album nestles the vocals right into the music providing a live feel, and it also allows the choruses to become stronger and stronger with each listen.

The flipside starts with the monstrous ‘Reverse Offender’ filled with guitar riffs and a beat demanding your fist go into the air. If you want some sort of comparison, thing back to the Glam Skanks first album mixed with some Gluecifer with excellent lyrics. The tempo continues to surge through ‘Indefinite Doomsday,’ and I cannot help but think how awesome this would all sound live in a dive bar where the sweat is dripping off the walls. ‘Brides of the Night’ slows the tempo slightly and feels like a manifesto. I love the guitar work through here. I could see Joan Jett doing this musically.

The album then throws two curveballs at the end. ‘Deep Fryer Blues’ slows the pace a bit more for a cool groove that feels like it is lifted from the Nuggets era with a different lead vocalist for the first half of the song. This song will get many glasses raised in the live setting. In an album that only reaches around 25 minutes, the band has worked in a great rock n roll album and leaves no clues that we will have an acoustic song with a banjo at the end. ‘No Song’ feels like a live singalong along the lines of the Wildhearts ‘Don’t Worry About Me.’  

No Sugar have delivered ten high quality songs that connect with me and form a great album. This is definitely one to seek out and then tell your friends AND enemies so more people can spread the word. Until someone lets me program a radio show, I will stand here on my soap box letting people know they need to listen to this album and others that deserve to be heard by the masses. No Sugar has served up a sonic delight.

‘Last Call’ is available now Here

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Author: Gerald Stansbury