The current crop of independent punk acts currently bringing exciting music to the underground scene – Dream Wife, Lambrini Girls, Hot Wax, Problem Patterns and many others – recall past pioneers in their DNA but have brought it all up to date with a collective thrilling energy in their state of the nation addresses and the many various relevant themes covered. They all really-up the stakes even further due to being fortified with a fiercely individually distinctive freshness. Loose Articles glide in with both a dayglow appearance and a thrilling sound for an ear-catching debut.
Right from the get go, spacey synth whooshes align ‘Mr Manager’ while lyrically this will connect with anyone having experienced or experiencing being off work ill and ungrateful nightmare bosses. There is a rockabilly/punk esque guitar riff driving ‘Are You A Welder.’ But, there isn’t any sense of nostalgia here as it all smacks of the here and now, even the foreseeable future. They stretch out their sound far and wide as ‘Unpaid Intern’ expresses a Cumbia/Latin vibe. ‘’I’ve nearly made it’ initial talking style recalls Dry Cleaning’s Florence Shaw before Natalie Wardle unleashes glorious howling rage, and the band exercise a mighty robust – pulling all its weight out – groove. The nine songs clock in around the 40 minutes mark and there isn’t any unnecessary extra mileage because the journey taken as a listener feels a lot less.
Scream if You Wanna Go Faster is brimming with creativity, lyrically formed by real life situations, and sees a band seemingly fearless to go where the hooks lead. Shot through with both a defiantly angry and smartly cool attitude as well as sounding like the members Natalie, Erin, Abbie and Louise are determined to have fun on their own terms along the way. The songs fly by as the many stylised twists and turns make for an enjoyable ride. It’s even more astonishing when it was recorded over only two long weekend sessions and celebratory drinks over at the Eagle Inn pub. The result is Loose Articles have delivered an album chock full of innovative blend of styles, sparkling melodies and an enthusiastic urgency.
Simply, this record sees Loose Articles cementing their name as one the UK’s most crucial punk bands with energy aplomb and sass galore. Scream if you Wanna go Faster packs in shimmering melodies, bouncy rhythms, sharply sardonic lyrics for a splendid debut and another very fine release on the ever brilliant Alcopop! label.