Brutalism CD

First of all don't forget it was the label Epitaph that we have to thank for the likes of Millencolin, The Offspring and Bad Religion - among others. Its sub-label Anti- has been home to Jonathan Pierce's music as The Drums since 2017 following a long history with Moshi Moshi Records. Poppy, synth punk and electronica with the slightest of tropicana and charming vocals to boot, Pierce almost justifies in a single swoop what is still good about the indie pop sound that exploded during the 2000s. Vocals sit up front throughout the album and while guitars are sometimes left out there's no denying the dreamy finger picking that adds to the bliss of "I Wanna Go Back", and the acoustic ballad that is "Nervous". The album's title track harks back to a funky, soft edged pop sound not too dissimilar to classic Cut Copy, and don't go past our album highlight: "626 Bedford Avenue".