You just can’t keep a good indie trio down. Cambridge scamps Mammoth Penguins ‘ new album fizzles with effervescent energy. Emma Kupa, Tom Barden and Mark Boxall have returned with music that is irresistible, straight out of the traps, racing forward and never looking back.
Their trademark grungy indie, and Kupa’s sweet, youthful voice, has a directness, as with ‘Flyers’ which scrutinises the vagaries of life as a band on tour, with all the highs and lows that entails, but the title track is a softer, gorgeous meditation, a ballad taking on doubt and introspection. Juliana Hatfield would sell her guitar strings for such a song.
Elsewhere, ‘Old Friends ‘ is punky pop that embraces connectivity with like-minded people, and the reminder that leaning into vulnerability is a strength, not weakness.
It’s nice to hear the band exploring dualism here, the rough and smooth sides of life in a divided world. It couldn’t be more timely.
Out via Fika Recordings on May 3rd.
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