THE SNUTS - MILLENNIALS
Millennials encapsulates exactly what The Snuts personify – The joy that can be found amidst the chaos of daily life. Each track delves into themes of heartbreak, the working life and the feeling of obscurity within the world. The depth and melancholic themes are brought to life through the paradoxical nuances of ramped-up indie-rock anthems. Tracks such as ‘Gloria’, ‘NPC’ and ‘Deep Diving’ leave that impression and lead the line for what is set to be a new chapter in The Snuts’ career.
‘Gloria’ is the first track on the list setting the foundation for the album. A gentle guide into the world that The Snuts have sought to create through Millennials. A reminiscent soundscape that grasps to a generation facing early adulthood, whilst conjuring a deep connection to a not-so-distant past.
The fast BPM lead by drummer Jordan Mackay and the catchy guitar riffs that bring a sense of the early noughties into the modern world are prominent within this track. Jack Cochrane’s iconic vocals take centre stage, as they always do, as he sings his soul out to ‘Gloria’ – driving the track straight into the listener’s heart and leaving them imagining driving down the coastway with a childhood sweetheart on a summer’s day. “We’re living this Monday to Friday/mundane fairy-tale". It’s a modern-day relatable love ballad tied up neatly with the bow of an indie anthem.
If ‘Gloria’ was the love ballad, ‘Millionaires’ places itself as the ode to the working-class couple’s love tale. A catchy short track which presents itself as a track that would be screamed out at an open-air festival. “If love was money/we’d be millionaires” perfectly encapsulates the message that is being sent throughout the project – You are okay the way you are, your life is where it is and that’s exactly where it should be. The Snuts push past the modern narrative of consumerism and over-indulgence using their tracks and strong guitar riffs to shout louder than the mob – “It doesn’t even matter/ If we never get to where we said we’d be/Yeah, it’s alright ‘cause love is free”.
‘Dreams’ and ‘Wunderkind’ bring back a familiar version of The Snuts –Utilising some of the raw traits found on their critically acclaimed Burn The Empire album. To give a grittier bite to the tracks sonically to produce a beautiful contrast with the digital warmth. The digital sonics that make up Millennials are ever-present, ornamenting the tracks and creating an atmosphere that would not be out of place in the early noughties. However, there is a newfound raw atmosphere breaking through by a drowned-out drum track and the impression that the mix was recorded on a tape recorder., especially on ‘Dreams’.
‘Wunderkind’ is a further nod to the millennials listening – The track being reminiscent of the early rawness that was attributed to Radiohead in Hail to the Thief mixed with the bubbly aesthetic of MIKA on Life in Cartoon Motion. Two albums which would have been listened to by the generation and defined that era of music.
Do not let the length of the album fool you. Though it only clocks in at half an hour the album has a timeless aura to it, which is further highlighted by its sonic delivery. You could listen to the entirety on repeat and still find something new to admire within Millennials. The Snuts have produced an album that will be returned to by listeners for many years to come, and have proven that they are a mainstay within the indie scene and deserve the credit that has been awarded them. What makes it even sweeter for them is that this Is their first project under the new venture of Happy Artist Records – If this is the new era, we are all in for a gentle ride into euphoric bliss.
Ramy Abou-Setta
★★★★☆