News album review : Letter to Self by SPRINTS (1 Viewer)

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About the band:
Sprints is an Irish punk rock band formed in Dublin. The band consists of Karla Chubb (lead singer and songwriter), Colm O'Reilly (guitar), Kack Callan (drums) and Sam McCann (bass). They released their debut song Kissing Practice back in 2020. Shortly after that they revealed two EPs (Manifesto and Modern Job). Their style is described as a mix between indie rock, punk, post-punk and garage rock.

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About the album:

genre: post-punk, garage rock
country: Ireland
release date: 5th January 2024

It is only their debut album, but they find their own sound already. They named groups such IDLES, Pixies, Fugazi and the solo artist PJ Harvey as inspirations. Prior to the album release, they revealed a few singles : Adore Adore Adore, Up and Comer, Shadow of a Doubt, Heavy and Literary Mind. They explore themes like anxiety, shame, sexuality and sexism. Each song resonates with Karla's life and what she experienced.

tracklist:
1. Ticking
2. Heavy
3. Cathedral
4. Shaking their Hands
5. Adore Adore Adore
6. Shadow of a Doubt
7. Can't get enough of it
8. Literary Mind
9. A Wreck (A Mess)
10. Up and Comer
11. Letter to Self

Overall rating: 8+​
 
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about the songs:

Ticking :
The album's opener and a good way to start! I didn't expect the German line in the song...
When it came up, I have immediately thought that she could speak well, but then I have found out that she has grown up partly in Germany!
It wasn't revealed until the day the album came out, but it could have been a single as well! I recommend for you to have a listen :)
Rating: 8/10

Heavy:
Last song to have been revealed prior to the album release. Despite its name, it is not the heaviest song on the record.
It has a nice guitar riff included, which I quite enjoyed. Probably not my favourite in this record, but it is still really enjoyable!
Though the chorus is growing on me!
Rating: 7/10

Cathedral:
The song starts quietly, but it become heavier around the chorus. The lyrics are particularly impactful!
I really liked the progression in the track and the instruments there!
Rating: 8.5/10

Shaking their Hands:
The start is quiet and the use of the guitar works pretty well. It stays quite mid-tempo through the whole song.
Quite a nice punk song (not sure that's the right term here).
Rating: 7.5/10

Adore Adore Adore:
It was the first song revealed prior to the album release. Impactful song once again!
It has become a classic to me! I think the powerful chorus contrasts well with the quieter parts.
Rating: 8.5/10

Shadow of a Doubt:
An instant favourite! This song grabbed me on the first listen! It isn't the most powerful song over there, but I really enjoy the chorus. The first verse is almost acoustic, but then you have this powerful chorus! These guitars killed me too! Around the end of the song, she uses a much calmer voice too, in contrast to the middle of the song which is pretty heavy.
Rating: 10/10

Can't get enough of it:
I like that she is repeating the same sentences during the first half of the song. It adds a certain layer to it, it is like she is fed up with what she has experienced in a way. I wonder if those two verses aren't a sort of chorus? Because they are repeated a lot in the song (especially the lines "And I can't sleep, and I can't dream"). Is it a stylistic choice to start with a kind of chorus? I guess it is. You'd think that repeating the same lines would make the song boring, but actually, it is the opposite that happens. I felt like I could relate to her here and I felt empathy in a way.
Rating: 9/10

Literary Mind:
Oldest song featured in the album, it was released back in February 2023. A pretty nice punk song once again!
I have thought that this song was among the best in the record. I am glad it was included!
Rating: 9/10

A Wreck (A Mess):
The lyrics are impactful, she talks about her anxiety here. Well-written track and I felt it was a meaningful one for Karla.
Anyone who has experienced anxiety can relate to this song for sure!
Rating: 8/10

Up and Comer:
A heavier song, I won't complain! It reminded me of some Dream Wife songs, don't ask me why.
She is talking about sexism here (I have understood that because of the sentence "They say she's good for an up and comer"). Or maybe the meaning is different, it could be talking about the relevance of a young band in the industry.
Rating: 8/10

Letter to Self:
Title track of the album and its closer song. It is one of my favourite songs in the whole record!
She is making a kind of introspection here. It is like she was writing a letter to herself. I have understood it like she is expressing her anxiety and low self-esteem. Comparing herself to others makes her feel anxious, that is how I have understood the song.
Rating: 10/10​
 
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But the band and album info is already good. :thumbsupcat:
Your should try the first song, I have thought about you when I tried it!!!! (I won't tell you why) :joshmeh:
 
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Lets settle with us both having some problems with english but we still say and are understood so no one can clock us :joyslay:
broken English haha
 
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