Album Review: Fangclub unleash their incredible debut album

Dublin trio Fangclub have enjoyed a remarkable rise to fame and acclaim since forming just a few short years ago. Heavily touted by many thanks to their feral brand of grunge-speckled garage rock, their eponymous debut will only increase their stock. It features a heady mix of sugary melodies and punk guitar that harks back to the days when Ash and Nirvana ruled the mainstream airwaves. However, the LP is more than a trip down memory lane; while Fangclub do unashamedly worship at the altar of ’90s alt rock, the lyrics give proceedings a thoroughly modern flavour.

The band are at their best when they’re going for the jugular, with the fizzing punk stomper ‘Psycho’, frenetic live favourite ‘Bullet Head’ and the anthemic ‘Better To Forget’ all standout moments. Calling to mind the much missed Fighting With Wire in places (specifically on ‘Lightning’ and ‘Best Fake Friends’), Fangclub’s debut is a strong statement of intent.

Though long-term fans will be familiar with much of the material on offer (tracks from their brace of EPs are scattered throughout), it doesn’t dull the impact of this short, sharp shock.

8/10

Out now

*You can also check our two-page interview with Fangclub in the latest issue of Hot Press.