TRACKS THAT SHAPED MY SOUND: GET THE ARMY

Get the Army is built on energy, intent, and movement — and like any project rooted in raw performance, its sound didn’t appear out of nowhere. From formative live moments in Nottingham to artists who proved there are no rules between rock, rap, and spoken word, these tracks helped shape the way Dylan Jackson writes, performs, and takes up space on stage. Loud, honest, groove-led, and unapologetic — this is the DNA behind Get the Army.

“Starburster” — Fontaines D.C.

It’d be rude not to start with Fontaines D.C. I saw them at Rock City in Nottingham with my dad, and that was really the beginning of me properly experiencing different sounds and genres in a live setting.

Their third album Skinty Fia massively inspired me in terms of mood and identity, but when they released Starburster, it felt like it lined up perfectly with the kind of sound I’d been trying to figure out for myself. The idea of rapping or half-speaking inside a rock or alternative track — the way Grian Chatten does — really clicked with me. It showed me that you don’t have to stay in one lane. You can talk, spit, rant, and still make something that hits just as hard as a traditional rock song.

“Bittersweet Symphony” — Ren

Off the back of that, Ren has been a huge inspiration for the way I speak in my music — especially towards the end of GUN and across a few releases I’ve got coming this year. I’m really drawn to how unapologetically honest he is. He doesn’t dress things up or hide behind metaphors for the sake of it — he just tells you exactly what’s going on in his head and in the world around him.

There’s something really powerful about that level of vulnerability, especially when it’s paired with confidence and intention. On top of that, he’s genuinely genius when it comes to how he presents himself and gets his message across. Everything feels thought-through but still authentic, which is something I massively respect and definitely try to take into my own work.

“Careless” — Royal Blood

From the very start of my creative journey, Royal Blood have been a solid reference point for me. The hard, groovy riffs, massive drums, and strong, no-nonsense vocals were exactly what I wanted to hit — not just sonically, but on stage as well. That’s the kind of energy my live performances have always been craving.

Honestly, you could probably put most of Royal Blood’s catalogue here, but Careless stands out because the vocals feel especially prominent, and it was the first song of theirs that I really locked into. It kind of set the standard for what I thought a modern rock track could sound like: heavy, simple, confident, and still catchy as fuck.

“Lovesick Lullaby” — YUNGBLUD

In terms of my more recent development, YUNGBLUD has been a massive point of inspiration. His latest album, especially, feels like it should inspire anyone trying to find their sound somewhere between alternative, rock, and pop. He’s absolutely nailed it over the last few years and really come into his own.

There’s something about his overconfident-yet-humble attitude that just works. His stage presence and social media presence are honestly unmatched in the modern rock scene, and he knows exactly who he is. Lovesick Lullaby is one of the biggest tracks on the album, which excites me because the direction I’m heading in feels similar: speaking or half-singing over heavy, driving riffs. Writing this has actually made me realise how much I might be nicking from him… but I guess that’s how influence works haha.

“POP POP POP” — IDLES

IDLES have always inspired me from a creative standpoint, especially when it comes to experimenting with sound and talking about the reality of the world we live in — but from a deeply personal place. That balance is exactly what I try to hit, particularly at the end of GUN.

As I continue making music, I know I’ll always come back to them when I want to push myself further and get more experimental with what I’m doing. All of that aside though… yeah. They’re just fucking sick, aren’t they. I want all of that.

“Two Fingers” — Jake Bugg

Now, apart from the fact that I’m from Nottingham, I don’t really sound much like Jake Bugg — but there’s no denying how much he’s influenced me. His catchy choruses and the way his music just makes you want to move is something I really want to inject into my own stuff.

I also love how strongly he sticks to his roots and where he’s from. No matter where my music ends up taking me — whether that’s my local pub or Wembley Stadium — that’s something I want to hold onto. Staying grounded, staying honest, and staying connected to where it all started feels just as important as the music itself.