Some bands make the world better by making music that you truly feel in your gut. Their music becomes the voice in your head that you need when things feel a little too much. That’s the thing with music- it’s always there. People aren’t. They come with conditions and at times, demands you cannot meet. Music doesn’t do this. So, what does this have to do with the new Amyl and The Sniffers record? Absolutely everything, and more.

Cartoon Darkness is THEIR record. The record they were always destined to make. It could have been immediately, or it could have been in 15 years’ time- but it’s now and thank god it’s now.

The record opens with the latest release, Jerkin’. It feels like it’s a much-needed dig at male journalists who objectify Amy. We’ve all seen it- not just with Amy, but countless of other female musicians. They seem to think talking about what someone is wearing is far more important than the words coming out of their mouth. That isn’t journalism, that’s being a total prick. But what do I know!

We then go smack into Chewing Gum, which is lyrically, one of my favourite Amyl and The Sniffers songs. They’ve come a long, long way from being a little pub rock band, but it was so obvious that this was going to happen. Some bands are destined to make it, and this band are one of them. I won’t focus too much on the songs that have already been released, but I do want to mention that hearing Big Dreams in between Tiny Bikini and Its Mine is so beautiful. Big Dreams is THAT song you go to when you feel awful, and it just makes everything alright again. Then, you go back and play Chewing Gum. That’s when it all clicks, and you feel alright.

Over the past 8 years or so, they’ve been making their own noise and on their own terms. I remember hearing the Giddy Up EP and it blew my mind. I felt like a kid in the 70s hearing Punk for the very first time. I found the band I was always was meant to find, and it’s been a wild ride since. Everything they’ve released has been magical; how can a band be this good? HOW? For them, it’s easy. Each of them has this glorious style and sound that just has you hooked. Bryce is an insane drummer; Gus is THE coolest bassist, and Dec is just a monster on the guitar. Amy is one of the best frontwomen around. Actually, fuck gender. Irrespective of gender- Amy is one of the most charismatic and divine singers I’ve ever seen. The way she holds a crowd, how she can control them and just have everyone hooked on the band? Effortless. If you’ve seen them live, you’ll know exactly what I mean. This band have it all, and then some!

Cartoon Darkness is a treat for us Punk fans. It’s 13 songs and just over half an hour long. As someone with awful attention span and cannot sit still for too long- this record feels like every single thought bouncing in my head. Like a pinball machine in the corners of my mind- back and forth, then a bit chaotic in the middle. It’s a fucking great record. Right now, my favourite song on the record is Doing in Me Head closely followed by Pigs and maybe Motorbike Song. I think Doing in Me Head may be my solid favourite; I don’t think I can change my mind on that (this isn’t counting Chewing Gum or Big Dreams.) The record is fun, and sure some of the topics are heavy, and Amy has said the record is about a range of things such as war and climate crisis- but there’s fun on this record. It’s got an innocence to it, and you find that in everything this band do. There’s this beautiful gentleness and fragility on Bailing on Me- it’s heartbreaking, and hearing her voice so delicate on this will cut through it. It’s such an easy song to relate to. We’ve all had someone who constantly lets us down, and when you get to the point of realisation of it and let it go- that’s the biggest relief. Trust me. Letting things and people go that just let you down may feel tough, but when you do it- everything feels lighter. It’s one of the quieter moments on the record, and it then goes right into U Should Not Be Doing That (the bass reminds me of Psycho Killer, and it’s SO good!) Me and the Girls wraps up the record- it’s a chaotic night out with a description of the morning after; the perfect way to close a phenomenal record. Also, don’t overlook the power of the song Tiny Bikini- that song will also be incredible live. The whole record is a fervent work of art.

I guess in short, we can say that this is their best record so far. Their finest release. I’ll always, always have space in my heart reserved for Giddy Up- it started everything for me, and to hear the band go from songs like Stole My Pushbike to all they’ve created on Cartoon Darkness is a joy to see and hear. There’s no other band quite like them, and I honestly don’t think we’ll ever get another band like them. Bands like this are so rare, and we’ve got to treasure them whilst we have them. The band will ALWAYS have that rowdy and raw sound, and it’s so clear on It’s Mine. That song is going to be WILD live. The whole record is going to be insane live; I cannot wait. Imagine witnessing It’s Mine and Motorbike Song live! It’s going to be unreal.

Their debut self-titled record to Comfort to Me, then to Cartoon Darkness- you can definitely hear the growth. The production, the way the band play, the writing and the strength in Amy’s voice is unreal. This record is their first on a massive label, but it’s not changed their sound at all. They’ll always have that beautiful raw sound we all fell in love with many years ago.

The energy on this record will set you up right for the day. I think I’m on my fourth or fifth listen now, and I just keep picking up on more things to love about the record. There’s so much to love and appreciate on this record. The second part of the record shows a more vulnerable side to the band lyrically, and I think Going Somewhere may be their biggest sounding song to date. This live is going to rip. I cannot wait to hear these new songs live; their songs are all made to be heard live-that’s the kind of band they are.

Every song on this record deserves its place and needs to be played so loud. It’s one of those records that makes you so proud to be a fan of the band.