Drunken Sailor Records put out some incredible music, and recently they released the debut record by Swedish Punk band, Ditches. If you’re looking for something hard-hitting and wonderfully fast-paced, then this record is for you. As far as debut records go, this one is a killer. It’s got everything you could possibly want from your new favourite band and more! It’s got the makings of a real classic, and when all this madness is over (and you selfish fucks stop going out and meeting up in parks with your pals and having BBQs when we are meant to stay home!!) I’m pretty sure that Ditches will tour and blow the roof off every venue they grace with their talent. Until then, stay the fuck indoors and play this record.

 The record consists of 11 Punk anthems to get you through your day, and to play round your head as you gently sleep. I love every single song on the record, and I’m playing them loud enough right now to cancel out my noisy neighbours. I can hear way too much; I can hear them slam doors and cough super loudly. Thank god I’m not hearing anything too personal though. Stitch Me Up and Shelter go perfectly into each other, and I love how they feel like a Glaswegian kiss to the soul; violent but healing. They have got something really special about them, and I love how this record sounds like a band that are really in their prime. I love the loudness, and I love how perfect the production of the record is without it being over the top. There’s this beautiful rawness to the record that just makes you stop what you’re doing so you can really take in everything you are listening to. It is such a grand record, and as far as debuts go- this one is right up there as being a great one!

Ditches have a really powerful sound going on here, and it’s the kind of sound that makes you instantly know that their live shows will be what shows us what they are about even more. I love that fast-paced sound so much, and I love that aggression that’s in the sound too. The lyrics are hard-hitting too and are definitely worth paying attention to (Don’t Care being one of the strongest examples here.) It’s an effortlessly cool record that takes you back to how you felt when you first discovered Punk for the first time. That sense of wonder and thoughts of, “What is this?!” and before you know it, it’s taken over your life and no other music will do. It’s something that sticks with you, and when you keep finding bands that give you this feeling, then that’s it for life. I love how their sound reminds me a little of Hüsker Dü, and how they aren’t afraid to be sensitive and open with their lyrics. For me, Hüsker Dü were one of the greatest bands of all time and were exceptional at what they did. To hear bands now who remind me of them is really heartwarming because for some reason, I never expect it but when I hear it- I really get it.

 Will Fitzpatrick wrote this about the band on their Bandcamp page, and I think it sums up Ditches perfectly: “Meet Ditches, from Stockholm coming straight out the gutter and speeding into the part of your brain where all the catchiest melodies lurk for the rest of time.” This debut record has 11 songs that are played with such urgency and passion, you’d be hard-pressed to find anything else to grab you like this right now. Self-isolate and play this really loud!

Ditches debut record is out right now via Drunken Sailor Records.