This promising debut album is the work of a Leeds post-punk band who originally formed as a trio consisting of Harry Jones (vocals, guitar, lyrics) , Ryan Walker (bass) and Luc Gibbons (drums).
They expanded and were turbo-charged by the addition in 2022 of Ryan Geach (saxophone), Luca Vitale (trumpet), and George Orton (guitar).
They conspire to make a joyful racket of snarling abrasiveness signalled by provocative song titles like Professionalism Debunked and Spellbound by the Phallus.
The resultant sound is pitched some way between The Birthday Party and Fat White Family.
The first single Reptilian Brain and accompanying video identifies them as rebellious youths with arty pretentions, a modus operandi which entails adding some method to the overall madness.
It’s no surprise to learn that the band’s live shows can be chaotic events since it’s plain that the album sets out to capture the essence of the raw energy of their performances onto disc.
Not everything works but perfection is not part of the goal. Weaker points lie in the less manic sections on Friends and Holy Building Tourist which show their range without really integrating with the more frenzied numbers.
The intriguing drone-infused Meet Me by the Willow closes proceedings and suggests that primitive folk and indie rock are greater influences than free jazz.
Whatever the precise ingredients are contained in this soup mix, the finished concoction is full of spice and flavour.
