Aussie punk band Amyll and the Sniffers have hit us hard with their third album Cartoon Darkness.
The punk power of the quartet has not gone unnoticed by listeners in recent years, originating from Melbourne the group are now set to headline stages across the world, appearing alongside Irish-post-punk band Fontaines D.C. and Irish rap trio Kneecap in Finsbury Park, London July of next year. It is clear the buzz of this group is becoming increasingly difficult to ignore.
Cartoon Darkness: Amyll and the Sniffers new album
When considering what makes this band of rough-housers so appealing to such a wide variety of fans, I believe they add something unique that sets them apart from many famous punk and rock ‘n’ roll bands of the 20th century-finally from a female perspective! The band is fronted by vocalist Amy Taylor and she's great at what she does. Taylor is the new voice that carries on the powerful sounds from groups like X-Ray Spex and Paramore, as the groups popularity rises its easy to think soon Amyll and the Sniffers will reach the same super-star status as these ladies before.
Cartoon Darkness carries a multitude of female punk anthems, the album is graphic and doesn’t hold back in lyrics or visuals. Opening the album with Jerkin’ filled with fiery temper the track puts any sexist haters firmly in their place, “Keep jerkin’ on your squirter, you will never get with me” and the line “They like on my outfits and hate my success” make it clear front woman Taylor has no time for jealous misogynists.
In Tiny Bikini we hear Taylors babydoll voice take on a snarky tone to sing about wearing whatever she wants, “so I’m just gonna walk, my lips, my hair, my tiny-eeny-weeny-bikini”. The empowering freedom laced into the track at times takes on a role of almost revered misogyny that we can hear in tracks like Motorbike Song, “I wanna ride you like a Harley D”. The group are taking back the power in catcalling and giving also those guilty a taste of their own medicine.
A personal favourite, Big Dreams speaks straight to the heart and shows off the band's versatility by taking on a more sombre and moody tone. The track slows the fast pace rage of previous songs and takes a moment to remember the lows that come alongside the highs, and that stardom often comes from humble beginnings “You got them big dreams, you wanna get out of here, You’re sick of being stuck in the apartment”.
Overall, Cartoon Darkness is a solid punk album that leaves high anticipation for the fiery live performance, which the band has never been a stranger to.
You can listen to Cartoon Darkness here: