I think this new Amyl and The Sniffers album is disappointing. Maybe they have run out of steam and catchy punk tunes already? Maybe they should have waited with releasing a new album until they were ready? Censored tits pics, piss pics, dick videos and potty mouth lyrics, is just not enough when there is no great music to back it up. Compared to the high quality of their 2 previous albums (and a bunch of EPs and singles) it's just not good enough.
There are very few memorable songs on the album. It wouldn't be completely wrong to argue that the 2 best songs were found on the great 7" single "U Should Not Be Doing That" / "Facts" that was released months before the album. Only the single A-side made it to the album. Leaving the single B-side out is a mystery as it's easily better than any song on the LP's A-side.
There are no surprises on the album and nothing we haven't heard much better before. It sounds like an album that was only made because they needed to make an album, not because they had a lot of great news songs that they needed to release. Their previous album "Comfort To Me" [2021] was the exact opposite of that.
Most of the LP's A-side is so below par that it makes more sense to go directly to the LP's B-side. It begins with "Doing In Me Head" that is in fact an exception. It kicks some kind of ass and I wouldn't mind hearing that one live.
"It's doing in me head head head head"
"Bailing On Me" is another highlight. It is an emotional near ballad. Great to actually hear a song with some feeling in it. "Do It Do It" also deserves a mention. It's the last song of some quality. And nope, it's not a Nike commercial. It's a song about following your dreams and making it even when they say it can't be done.
"But I was climbing up the mountaintop
And they were still tucked in their bed"
Amyl & The Sniffers will hit Copenhagen's Vega in November. The concert is already sold-out but I've got a ticket and I expect them to still be kicking considerable ass live. I just hope they won't be playing too many of the new songs live.
Better luck with the next album. Take your time and get it right. I haven't given up on you, but this new album is one I'll easily forget.
Rating: 
Band: Amyl and The Sniffers
Record Title: Cartoon Darkness
This Release: 2024
Record Format: LP
Record Label: Rough Trade
Extra Info:
LP comes with band poster
TrackList:
- Jerkin'
- Chewing Gum
- Tiny Bikini
- Big Dreams
- It's Mine
- Motorbike Song
- Doing In Me Head
- Pigs
- Bailing On Me
- U Should Not Be Doing That
- Do It Do It
- Going Somewhere
- Me And The Girls
Content Type: Record Review
Language: 
Updated: 2024-10-27 14:48
Created: 2024-10-27 07:03
