Category: Album Reviews

There within lies is perhaps the only gripes, that there isn’t much to surprise on this record and that perhaps it would benefit from dropping a track or two despite there not being an inherently bad track present.

Those are only minor observations however and in the main taking this journey with Cassyette will only solidify your appreciation for an artist clearly born to do this. Be that screaming at the top of lungs on the likes of ‘Ipecac’ or serenading us with her dulcet tones on the delicate ‘Dear Sister’.

This is an album which is well worth your time and ultimately sets up this unique artist for the rest of her career, which you’d imagine will be a long and successful one on this evidence!

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Tags Album, Album Review, Cassyette, Music, review, This World Fucking Sucks

Album Reviews

Delilah Bon

Post author By fullpeltmusic
Post date September 11, 2024

Evil, Hate Filled Female

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DELILAH BON – EVIl, HATE FILLED FEMALE – ALBUM REVIEW

Delilah Bon emerged during the pandemic and quickly established herself as a voice for the voiceless, the marginalized and the mistreated. Now Bon unleashes new album, ‘Evil, Hate Filled Female’. Delightfully abrasive, this album will cause offence… because the world doesn’t like to be called out on their shit!

With lyricism as biting as prime Eminem, unwavering attitude and a modern rock fusion sound, this album is ready to punch you square in the face and dance on your quivering body. Titled after an absurd insult on social media, ‘Evil, Hate Filled Female’ is mastermind Lauren Tate fully embracing her vision for Delilah Bon.

Tate found Bon as she articulated in lyrical form her experience of abuse and inappropriate behaviour whilst fronting punk rockers Hands Off Gretel. The freedom that came with being truly independent has emboldened her creativity and Bon has extended beyond being just an outlet for Tate to express herself, indeed Delilah Bon is a symbol for anyone in need of a champion.

WATCH THE VIDEO FOR ‘VOLATILE’

Delilah Bon – ‘Volatile’

This latest release pulls no punches and is packed with unfiltered social commentary which confronts many of societies archaic pre-conceptions. Given the irony involved in calling Bon an evil, hate filled female and the continued rise of ignorance and hatred in the world, there’s never been a better time for this anti-hero to rise up. As Bon says herself, “It’s about turning the tables on hate and reclaiming our power. We are truly in our villain era.”

As important as it is however to acknowledge the themes presented on this album, it would be disrespectful to not also acknowledge how incredibly catchy these songs are. Musically, Bon has excelled with this sonic smorgasbord of ferocious sounds. You can hear the passion put into this album and the results are powerful and innovative.

This album isn’t going to be for everyone. Indeed, many will hate it! So, just remember that if you’re offended by this record – that’s because it’s not for you… it’s about you!

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The Full Pelt Music Podcast – Episode 31 – Delilah Bon

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Album Reviews

Boston Manor

Post author By fullpeltmusic
Post date September 11, 2024

Sundiver

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BOSTON MANOR – SUNDIVER – ALBUM REVIEW

Conceptually envisioned as a sequel of sorts to 2022’s ‘Datura’, Boston Manor have created a monster with their new album ‘Sundiver’. Designed to be the sunshine to the darkness of ‘Datura’, this new collection finds the group at perhaps their most ambitious.

That in itself is some statement to make because the band have always been driven by a desire to outdo themselves. Rarely are they found stood still with recent efforts ‘Desperate Times, Desperate Pleasures’ and ‘Datura’ expanding upon their signature sound with increasing nuance.

WATCH THE VIDEO FOR ‘CONTAINER’

Boston Manor – ‘Container’

Thematically ‘Sundiver’ picks up where ‘Datura’ left off with the slow burning opening track aptly titled ‘Datura (Dawn)’. The album then kicks up a gear with three of the pre-release singles, ‘Container’, the Deftones echoing ‘Sliding Doors’ and the soaring ‘HEAT ME UP’.

Musically the record is slightly less foreboding than its predecessor, with the band aiming for more of a summertime aesthetic, without dropping the melancholic undertones. It’s fitting then that the record comes as summer segues into the auspices of autumn. You can feel the heat of the sun still, but you’ll need to wear a jacket!

The band find themselves on a real hot streak of releases and ‘Sundiver’ is more than capable of holding its own. The band have truly mastered how to write a banger as the kids would say, and you just know that these songs will go off live!

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Tags Album, Album Review, Boston Manor, Container, Music, review

Album Reviews

Kid Bookie

Post author By fullpeltmusic
Post date September 11, 2024

Songs For The Living // Songs For The Dead

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KID BOOKIE – SONGS FOR THE LIVING // SONGS FOR THE DEAD – ALBUM REVIEW

“Maybe it could potentially be a good statement of what rock music can be today”. Those are the words of Kid Bookie as we talk with the man himself for The Full Pelt Music Podcast. As a human being, Bookie is modest and grounded in his self-assessment, as an artist though he is anything but grounded.

Kid Bookie naturally elevates whatever he turns his hand to and as clichéd as it may be, he is groundbreaking. Since moving away from the music others expected him to make into making the music he wants to make, Kid Bookie has found out more about himself with each release.

As he has loosened the shackles of expectation, he has torn up the industry rule book and embraced the freedom that comes with a no f*cks given attitude. This shines through on his new album ‘Songs For The Living // Songs For The Dead’.

Having worked with a who’s who of modern rock producers across the ten tracks, it’s perhaps no surprise that there is an eclectic mix of genres and styles featured. Again, the rule book is thrown out the window when it comes to tracklist and structure. Conforming to any societal or industry norms certainly isn’t Bookie’s thing (not that normal is even a real thing), and that makes this record one of the most interesting and dynamic releases of the year.

WATCH THE VIDEO FOR ‘AI (SAVE YOURSELF)’

Kid Bookie – ‘AI (Save Yourself)’

Check out our two Podcasts, with a new interview with Kid Bookie incoming!

‘AI (Save Yourself)’ is a great opener which is the perfect example of what new nu-metal should be. The fact that the track then gives way to an acoustic ballad is unique to say the least. But… rather than be a jarring transition, it offers the listener their first moment of intriguing revelation.

This isn’t a collection where the whole is greater than the sum of its parts, no, instead this record flows like a ‘Now that’s what I call music’ compilation album. Fusing rock, metal, rap, hip-hop, pop-punk and so much more, ‘Songs For The Loving // Songs For The Dead’ simply defies genre. Despite this, Bookie’s vision brings an irregular cohesion to the album, with each track standing out for its own reason.

As you familiarise yourself with this magnificent collection, you’ll likely ask yourself why can’t all music be so boundless and exciting? You may therefore consider this an exceptional statement of what modern rock music can be! And yes, that is important and adds significance to this album, but above all else, this album is just so damn infectiously enjoyable.

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Tags Album, Album Review, Kid Bookie, Music, review, Songs For The Dead, Songs For The Living

Album Reviews

Fontaines D.C.

Post author By fullpeltmusic
Post date August 30, 2024

Romance

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FONTAINES D.C. – ROMANCE – ALBUM REVIEW

If it wasn’t already clear that Fontaines D.C. are a band uninterested in standing still, then their fourth album ‘Romance’ leaves you in no doubt of the level of ambition that the group harbour.

That aspiration to explore their sound and bare their soul resonates throughout these eleven stunning tracks. Indeed, if you were to play ‘Romance’ back-to-back with their breakthrough debut collection, ‘Dogrel’, then you’d wonder what happened to a band lumped into the post-punk revolution.

Listen however to their entire back catalogue in sequence and you can sense the growing self-belief and determination to be something bigger, something better!

WATCH THE VIDEO FOR ‘FAVOURITE’

Fontaines D.C. – ‘Favourite’

‘Romance’ feels like a band establishing themselves on a higher level to their peers, from the pulsing opening title track to the indie anthem closer ‘Favourite’, this album is simply enthralling. The band are methodical in delivering a mesmerising blend of dystopian poetry and an explorative sonic haze.

You can just sense that some albums are special, and ‘Romance’ certainly falls into this category. In fact, each new Fontaines D.C. record has felt special!

The band has an incredible ability to capture magic and if they keep up the consistency shown in their formative years then they are going to be a force to be reckoned with for years to come!

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Tags Album, Album Review, Fontaines D.C., Music, review, Romance

Album Reviews

AWOLNATION

Post author By fullpeltmusic
Post date August 28, 2024

The Phantom Five

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‘The Phantom Five’ represents the fifth studio album from AWOLNATION and finds creative force Aaron Bruno in fine form. With their legacy already established, it’s time for them to spread their wings and enjoy the artistic freedom that comes when you reach this point in your career.

The record begins with the anthemic ‘Jump Sit Stand March’, which features guest vocals from Emily Armstrong of Dead Sara who combines to great effect with Bruno. The song instantly enthrals and sets the tone for what’s to come, which is an all-encompassing sonic exploration of the AWOLNATION sound.

A little bit of everything goes into these ten tracks with ‘Party People’, a fast-paced and playful pop rock number, before the lead single, the slow burning ‘Panoramic View’ then showcases Bruno at his soaring best. The Del the Funky Homosapian featuring ‘I Am Happy’ then changes speed with an uplifting beat that will get you moving.

WATCH THE VIDEO FOR ‘PANORAMIC VIEW’

AWOLNATION – ‘Panoramic View’

Watch Episode 51 of The Full Pelt Music Podcast with guest AWOLNATION

The remaining tracks follow the recipe of mixing all aspects of the AWOLNATION sound with a sprinkle of fresh epicness. ‘The Phantom Five’ is sure to be a winner for fans old and new, and is right up there with the best of AWOLNATION.

‘Outta Here’ acts as the sublime album closer and finishes off what really is a perfectly rounded AWOLNATION record. With hints from Bruno that this could be their last album, you can’t help but feel it would be a great send-off, whilst also hoping that it isn’t!

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The Full Pelt Music Podcast – Episode 51 – AWOLNATION

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Album Reviews

Twin Atlantic

Post author By fullpeltmusic
Post date August 16, 2024

Meltdown

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TWIN ATLANTIC – MELTDOWN – ALBUM REVIEW

Twin Atlantic have long proven that they have a special ability to create soaring rock anthems in which you can lose yourself. Indeed, as they release their seventh studio album, ‘Meltdown’, they are well and truly past their discovery phase.

As the band released a run of four magnificent albums between 2009 and 2016, they were on a clear trajectory to the top. Big shows and huge festival slots followed but come January 2020 their upwards curve began to flatten… and that, despite the year, isn’t a pandemic reference.

Whilst the world closing down weeks after releasing ‘Power’ wouldn’t have helped, neither did the lacklustre response to an album which sought to expand the sonic palate of the band. Then 2022’s ‘Transparency’ came along and compounded the issue. Despite an obvious ambition to journey somewhere outside of their comfort zone, the band simply sounded lost, and that flattened curve threatened to head downwards.

WATCH THE VIDEO FOR ‘SORRY’ ON YOUTUBE

Twin Atlantic – ‘Sorry’

That does put a lot of pressure on new release, ‘Meltdown’, to stop the rot. A steady series of pre-release singles has teased a fabled return to form and as you progress through these eleven new tracks, you’ll be reminded of exactly why you fell in love with Twin Atlantic in the first place!

The charm of frontman Sam McTrusty once again shines through and helps to elevate these songs to new heights. Their trademark guitar-led emotive rock sound is back in full force, but with the lessons of their past two albums making this their most mature and well-rounded collection to date.

The haunting ‘Snow In Texas’ is a stunning finale to an album which feels like a greatest hits effort in terms of the various strong points of Twin Atlantic being on full show. This is a battle-hardened band re-establishing what makes them special.

The lyrics “I wanna make you proud” close out the record and the band have certainly done themselves proud with this great collection.

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Tags Album, Album Review, Meltdown, Music, review, Twin Atlantic

Album Reviews

Millie Manders and the Shutup

Post author By fullpeltmusic
Post date August 1, 2024

Wake Up, Shut Up, Work

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MILLIE MANDERS AND THE SHUTUP – WAKE UP, SHUT UP, WORK – ALBUM REVIEW

It’s about time that any self-respecting punk rock aficionado has Millie Manders and the Shutup on their radar. Since releasing their debut album, ‘Telling Truths, Breaking Ties’ during the pandemic, the band have made full use of the reopened world, playing countless headline shows, notable support slots and a strong smattering of festival appearances.

Indeed, you’ve probably been living under a rock if you haven’t at least noticed their name on a poster of some sort. There has however been no better time than now to get onboard the good ship Shutup and take on the rewarding journey of their sophomore release, ‘Wake Up, Shut Up, Work’!

As Millie recently discussed on The Full Pelt Music Podcast, this record sees Manders and her cohorts enter into a much more collaborative writing process and the outcome is their trademark sound turned up to eleven.

A more expansive sonic palette is used to create a greater sense of depth throughout the twelve engaging tracks. The range of emotions evoked almost rivals the amount of different vital topics covered, with Manders’ lyricism again simple yet incredibly powerful.

WATCH THE VIDEO FOR ‘CAN I GET OFF?’

Millie Manders and the Shutup – ‘Can I Get Off?’

There is fearlessness in calling out various toxic and unjust elements of society and some of the hypocrites that virtue signal without the willingness to speak out if it risks alienating their audience. Millie Manders and the Shutup certainly can’t be accused of failing to speak up, and this record is another call to arms for listeners to at least step back and educate themselves properly on subjects before arriving at any easy conclusions.

Of course, it’s important to pay attention to the topics highlighted across the album, but equally we’d be remiss if we didn’t spotlight the musical results of the groups shared inputs. The sometimes-heavy lyrics are perfectly framed by a mixture of brash punk and uplifting ska – all of which is designed to get your feet moving whilst your head is thinking.

The simple fact here is that this is an album which is made to be played live, and these songs will live forever on stage. With more dates already in the calendar, you’re sure to see the name Millie Manders and the Shutup on many more posters, as this album will undoubtedly act as a new springboard for the group.

Which brings us full circle to our main point – there has never been a better time than now to dive into the world of Millie Manders!

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Watch Episode 53 of The Full Pelt Music Podcast with guest Millie Manders!

The Full Pelt Music Podcast – Episode 53 – Millie Manders and the Shutup

Tags Album, Album Review, Millie Manders and the Shutup, Music, review, Wake Up, Work

Album Reviews

Written By Wolves

Post author By fullpeltmusic
Post date July 26, 2024

THE LIGHTHOUSE

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WRITTEN BY WOLVES – THE LIGHTHOUSE – ALBUM REVIEW

New Zealand’s Written By Wolves introduced the world to their ambitious modern rock sound on their 2019 debut record, ‘Secrets’. A certain global pandemic made it hard for new artists to capitalize on momentum, but the quality of that release garnered enough attention to pique the interest of music fans around the world.

A concept record looking to open conversations on mental health, ‘Secrets’ explored why we don’t feel comfortable talking about something so integral to our wellbeing. Now with their sophomore release, ‘THE LIGHTHOUSE’, Written By Wolves delve into the idea of what can pull you away from the darkness and into the light.

A person, a place, a song, a tv show… what can help you to overcome the brutally relentless pitfalls of our mental health. Over the course of the album, you are taken on a journey of discovery through the insightful and thought-provoking lyrics and expansive sonic onslaught.

WATCH THE VIDEO FOR ‘PLEASE JUST BREATHE’

Written By Wolves – ‘PLEASE JUST BREATHE’

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You can feel the genuine belief in the idea of a lighthouse as the band get incredibly personal on this stunning collection. A standout moment comes from the incredibly powerful, ‘PLEASE JUST BREATHE’, which details the day when vocalist Michael Murphy’s dad died and everything he went through to try and be at his bedside before he passed.

Indeed, the entire album will get you right in the feels and illicit an internal conversation which will hopefully lead to you understanding your own lighthouse. Our ability to discuss our own mental welfare has seen progress in recent years but remains lightyears away from true enlightenment. Records like this therefore remain so important!

Take away the importance of the themes of the album though and you’re still left with a musically sublime set of tracks and that’s what helps to elevate this album to new heights. Hopefully this time the band can capitalise unhindered.

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Watch Episode 52 of The Full Pelt Music Podcast with guests Written By Wolves

The Full Pelt Music Podcast – Episode 52 – Written By Wolves

Tags Album, Album Review, Music, review, THE LIGHTHOUSE, Written By Wolves

Album Reviews

Soft Play

Post author By fullpeltmusic
Post date July 19, 2024

Heavy Jelly

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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

Soft Play – ‘Punk’s Dead’

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!

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