Releasing only five days into 2024, Sprints have released their debut album and its already an album of the year contender. The Irish punk quartet have been on the rise recently but ‘Letter to Self’ feels like a true arrival. The Irish punk/post-punk scene is growing at the minute with bands like Fontaines DC, The Murder Capital and Mhaol all having huge releases but Sprints aren’t just another band in the scene – they’re heading for the top.
From the first second ‘Letter to Self’ is an angry yet cathartic punk explosion. Songs seamlessly drift from melodic indie rock territory to more often than not a frantic punk outburst. There’s no lack of energy at any point of the album even when things do seem to slow, these parts just fuelling the next outpouring of distortion and screams.
A pounding base drum accompanies a single guitar riff and singer Karla Chubb almost talking to start the first track ‘Ticking’. The song slowly builds with more singing, more riffs and more complex drums before firing into gear. ‘Heavy’ takes a similar approach with slower verses but choruses that kick into life.
‘Cathedral’ instantly stood out. Jack Callan shines on the drums while the riffs from Colm O’Reilly take an almost metal feel. With lyrics from Chubb looking at the Catholic guilt and internalized homophobia, it’s one of many songs on the album where she is opening herself up. It also features one of the best vocal performances on the album with every ounce of emotion being poured in.
‘Adore Adore Adore’ and ‘Shadow of a Doubt’ are two of the previously released singles and fit perfectly in place on the album. ‘Can’t Get Enough of It’ follows and is driven by Sam McCann’s heavy bass sounds.
‘Literary Mind’ has been released for almost a year now but similar to the other previously released singles has found a proper home. Sounding slightly different to the EP version the album version packs more of a punch without losing its sing along quality. As frontwoman Karla Chubb introduces song on the EP “this our big gay song about being gay”, with her again opening herself lyrically.
‘Up and Comer’ is the best example to show how the band use slower verses to make the explosion of noise even better in choruses. With the constant changes of tempo, the song is just made to be played live. Closing the album is the title track which finishes the album the way it started. Frantic.
If ‘Letter to Self’ isn’t near the top of most album of the year lists by the time December comes around something has gone wrong. Serving up introspection and anger through 11 tracks, this is Sprints making a name for themselves and the arrival of a band that are going to be massive.
