Tag: review

You can’t help but pick up on the emotive and vulnerable nature of these songs and that only manages to cultivate those all-important feelings of relatability. Songs that can make you feel something mean more and this is an album made of those songs.

Just take the morose epic closer ‘As I Breathe’ as case in point. The track provides the perfect juxtaposition to the rockier first half of the record and does its job perfectly in making you want to hit play again!

With folk storytelling, punk attitude and indie style there is plenty going for Cardinals and now they have navigated the tricky set of a debut album with such ease it is exciting to consider what the future will hold for them!

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Tags Album, Album Review, Cardinals, Masquerade, Music, review

Album Reviews

Gogol Bordello

Post author By fullpeltmusic
Post date February 13, 2026

‘We Mean It, Man!’

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GOGOL BORDELLO – We mean it , man! – album review

Nearly four years have passed since Gogol Bordello released, ‘Solidaritine’, their show of solidarity with the Ukrainian people in the face of the Russian invasion. Sadly for the world, that tragedy continues and now the band are back with an album of hope.

‘We Mean It, Man!’ really does pick up after its predecessor but looks to offer optimism that healing will be possible once the atrocities end – see ‘Life Is Possible Again’.

Led by charismatic frontman Eugene Hütz, the ensemble band again bring a chaotic mix of genres and styles together into their signature sound.

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Gogol Bordello – ‘Life Is Possible Again’

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Working with Nick Launay and Adam Greenspan whose recent works include Amyl and the Sniffers and IDLES does however bring some additional post-punk grounding to the album. But by and large this is another riotous listen from the self-proclaimed gypsy punks.

The album closes with another version of Angelic Upstarts anthem ‘Solidarity’ featuring New Order icon Bernard Sumner. This feels like the perfect way to conclude these pasts two records and send that important message of unity.

With the band almost three decades into their career, it’s not a surprise that there isn’t anything groundbreaking on this album. But for fans of the group, it’s reassuring that they still have the heart and energy to deliver such driven work.

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Tags Album, Album Review, Gogol Bordello, Music, review, We Mean It Man

Album Reviews

Demob Happy

Post author By fullpeltmusic
Post date February 12, 2026

‘The Grown-Ups Are Talking’

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DEMOb happy – the grown-ups are talking – album review

Demob Happy have never been a band to pigeonhole and as they return with their fourth studio album, they remain as enigmatic as ever!

‘The Grown Ups Are Talking’ is a manifestation of every element of the bands past whilst again showing a willingness and capability to explore further than ever before. Kicking off with trademark riffs across the opening trio of songs, the album suddenly pivots 180 degrees on the melancholic ‘Don’t Hang Up’.

From there the middle section of this record is a real fever dream as the group infuse some eclectic influences into their style. ‘Who Should I Say Is Calling?’ is a catchy number before the two part ‘Miracle Worker’ absorbs you completely.

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Demob Happy – ‘No Man Left Behind’

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Sonically this album is Demob Happy being free and that makes it a fun listen. Deep down however the lyrics on the record cover some of the most deep and personal yet for the band as evidenced by ‘Somethings Gotta Give’ which covers the passing of singer Matthew Marcantonio’s father.

The closing duo of ‘Little Bird’ and ‘Give It All To Me’ then summon forth the rifftastic powers of the trio once again for the big finale.

This album is something of a journey which makes it as fascinating as it does scintillating. It’s fuzzy, it’s psychedelic, it’s outlandish and it’s just very enjoyable!

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Tags Album, Album Review, Demob Happy, Music, review, The Grown-Ups Are Talking

Magazine

Full Pelt Magazine

Post author By fullpeltmusic
Post date February 8, 2026

Vol. 121

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EP Reviews

Power Snatch

Post author By fullpeltmusic
Post date February 6, 2026

‘EP1’

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POWER SNATCH – EP1 – EP REVIEW

Introducing Power Snatch, the new band from Hayley Williams and her ‘Ego Death at a Bachelorette Party’ producer Daniel James! Yes, introducing themselves with ‘ASSIGNMENT’ earlier this week the duo have also added a new EP cleverly titled ‘EP1’ on their Bandcamp page.

The three-track collection serves as a fuller introduction to this new strand of Williams’ multi-faceted career. The release follows on nicely from her acclaimed latest solo effort and gives more space for Williams to explore her creativity away from the shackles of Paramore.

These songs are lowkey and ooze indie angst with Williams naturally at the fore. As Williams continues this fascinating journey she is on it will be interesting to see what the future holds for Power Snatch but on first listen we’re eager for more!

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Album Reviews

IST IST

Post author By fullpeltmusic
Post date February 6, 2026

‘DAGGER’

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IST IST – DAGGER – ALBUM REVIEW

Manchester’s IST IST are back with their fifth new album since 2020! Their musical journey over these years has seen increasing confidence and ambition from the four-piece and ‘DAGGER’ is an album of true quality.

The opening trio of ‘I Am The Fear’, ‘Makes No Difference’ and ‘Warning Signs’ are a magnificent introduction to the record. The tracks showcase immaculately the synth-laden post-punk rhythm that drives these songs into your consciousness.

The album then settles in on ‘Burning’ and continues to take the listener on their own journey of sonic pleasure. Clocking in at just over thirty minutes over the course of ten sublime tracks, the album is easily able to mesmerise with its sheer elegance.

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IST IST – ‘I Am The Fear’

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With dashes of The Cure and Depeche Mode, pop sensibilities and lashings of modern post-punk aesthetic, the gravitas of this album is immense. This is all bound together by the powerful resonant timbre of singer Adam Houghton’s voice.

The title of the album links to the duality of life, and the themes of the album are tied to the nuance of living and their experiences gained from being in a band. These are songs that live and breathe themselves and that is the biggest strength of the record.

IST IST have already managed to cultivate a cult following with their previous albums and live showings, now ‘DAGGER’ feels like an album that deserves to make them a household name!

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Tags Album, Album Review, DAGGER, IST IST, Music, review

Album Reviews

The Molotovs

Post author By fullpeltmusic
Post date February 4, 2026

‘Wasted On Youth’

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THE MOLOTOVS – WASTED ON YOUTH – ALBUM REVIEW

A lot of big words have been used to describe sibling duo The Molotovs. The London based band have been coupled to that hype train and have spent the past year touring non-stop in order to get their name out there.

Finally, though the time has arrived for that all important debut album and fans already onboard will be familiar with many of the songs that make up ‘Wasted on Youth’. It’s still nice though to hear them collected together in this eleven track, thirty-two minute whirlwind of a record.

Wearing their influences very much on their sleeves, you get the attitude of punk, the swagger of Britpop indie and the grit of garage rock bundled together in an aesthetic eerily reminiscent of The Jam.

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The Molotovs – ‘Today’s Gonna Be Our Day’

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Produced by Jason Perry who has a proven track record for harnessing the catchiness of songs, it shouldn’t be a surprise that singable choruses are central to this album as pop slickness is embraced as well.

At times paying homage to their heroes translates with a little too much cliché but you can look past that if you just want to enjoy these songs at face value. There will be those sceptical of the quick rise of the band but on the evidence of this album the hype is warranted.

The album is very youthful in feel and there is certainly room for growth from Mathew and Issey Cartlidge but the talent is here to enable that growth given time. Closing with early single ‘Today’s Gonna Be Our Day’ feels apt as you feel that the release of this album is just the beginning of what will be many good days for the band.

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Tags Album, Album Review, Music, review, The Molotovs, Wasted On Youth

Magazine

Full Pelt Magazine

Post author By fullpeltmusic
Post date February 1, 2026

Vol. 120

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Album Reviews

Joyce Manor

Post author By fullpeltmusic
Post date January 30, 2026

‘I Used To Go To This Bar’

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JOYCE MANOR – I USED TO GO TO THIS BAR – ALBUM REVIEW

In a serious world that has truly lost its mind, it’s sometimes nice just to lose yourself something silly and fun. Well, perfect timing for the latest Joyce Manor album to arrive then!

A nostalgic record both in tone and tune, ‘I Used To Go To This Bar’ would’ve fit in easily in the early 2000’s. Working with Bad Religion’s Brett Gurewitz, this is regular programming for the band but with enough vibrancy to keep things interesting.

A bit of country twang, some emo angst and plenty of scrummy hooks will keep your dependable love of the band alive and provide you with that touched upon much needed escape from the realities of modern life.

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Joyce Manor – ‘All My Friends Are So Depressed’

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‘All My Friends Are So Depressed’ and ‘Well, Whatever It Was’ lead the charge but altogether these are another nine solid pop punk tracks. No ground is being broken but sometimes that’s absolutely fine.

Given the typically short duration of the record, you will happily be able to spend some time with these tracks and when you do they will etch themselves into your head.

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EP Reviews

Trash Boat

Post author By fullpeltmusic
Post date January 30, 2026

‘Even If I Never Get There’

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TRASH BOAT – EVEN IF I NEVER GET THERE’ – EP REVIEW

Despite being critically heralded (including by us), to say that Trash Boat’s past two records have been met by a mixed reception amongst fans would probably qualify as an understatement. Whilst many have loved their experimentation and joined them on their evolution, many met their alt rock showpieces with one big shrug.

Having broken through with a brash pop punk edge, some were disappointed when they ambitiously reached for something sonically grander. This lacklustre response coupled with cancelled tours gave the band a bit of a beating but thankfully their resilience has shone though as they return now with new four track EP, ‘Even If I Never Get There’.

Kicking off with fantastic single, ‘Get By Or Die’ fans of all eras of Trash Boat will be able to unite behind what is a superbly blended sound with the freedom of their early work mixing stirringly with the intensity of their recent outputs.

This is of course only a short sharp snapshot of where the band currently find themselves, but this feels very much like a fabled reset moment. The past is honoured, the present is strong and excitement can build again for the future!