Tiikeri

***The 5th 7” and third full EP from Finland’s Tiikeri is maybe their best yet. If this band is still unknown to you, They have spent the last 5 years keeping the torch of traditional Finn-punk burning. Playing in the tradition and simplicity of the late 70s punk roster dominating cult labels like Johanna and Poko Records, Poko Record’s “Pure Finnish Rock” slogan begs for a 2026 update with Tiikeri playing “Pure Finnish Punk”. This new EP sees Tiikeri at their most poppy and catchy yet without losing their punk edge, and objectively perhaps their strongest song writing. Bands like Vaavi with their song “Pogo Party” come to mind on this record, the bass runs would make JJ Burnell from the Stranglers envious, a fantastic artistic layout in Tiikeri’s now cemented punk style, and the production is the icing on the cake being the perfect fit for this style. Hard not to call this a perfect record in 2026.