Heavy Jelly
Follow us on Social Media
SOFT PLAY – HEAVY JELLY – ALBUM REVIEW
Given the regular criticism for modern punk’s over-reliance of cliches, it’s either fitting or ironic depending on your viewpoint that we are going to reel out a few in this review for new Soft Play album, ‘Heavy Jelly’.
The first cliché is that of reinvention, after all your probably still acclimatising to calling the band formerly known as Slaves by their new moniker Soft Play. Credit apparently goes to Bob Vylan for pushing the band over the line on a decision talked about for years – that of changing their troublesome title.
After an extended period of inactivity which saw many questioning the future of the duo, Isaac Holman and Laurie Vincent reconvened and announced their return in December of 2022, before returning to the stage last summer.
WATCH THE VIDEO FOR PUNK’S DEAD
Find Full Pelt Music on YouTube!
The rebranding of the band saw polarised opinions from fans which is addressed brashly in the albums second track, ‘Punk’s Dead’. Whilst delivered with tongue-in-cheek vitriol, the track acts as a palate-cleanser for the band and resets the relationship with the fans still on board – the next cliché being that this track really kickstarts this new era for the band.
That raging swagger continues into the likes of ‘Act Violently’ and ‘Isaac Is Typing…’, as the band reminds us that they’ve got teeth to go with their playful sound. Indeed, another cliché to pull out is that this feels like a back-to-basics approach from the duo which sees ‘Heavy Jelly’ become the closest release in terms of visceral energy to their heralded debut, ‘Are You Satisfied?’.
You could say then that this is a much-feted return to form, but the cliches are wearing a little thin now! Unlike this spectacular album, which is just half an hour long, with only finale, ‘Everything and Nothing’ breaching a runtime of over circa three minutes. The slimline approach helps to increase the feeling of vitality which exudes from your speakers as you take in this thoroughly enjoyable record.
It’s great to see Vincent and Holman working together again and with ‘Heavy Jelly’, they’ve put down a significant marker for their future output!
Share this review on Social Media