Amyl and the Sniffers – ‘Cartoon Darkness’ album review: A vital and joyous reminder of the power in punk
THE SKINNY: “Maybe a misconception about heavier genres is that there’s a lot of negativity,” Amyl and Sniffers’ guitarist Declan Martens told Far Out, “But Amy [Taylor] has such a healthy relationship with anger where it’s therapeutic, and it means she has so much space for joy at the same time.” That basically sums up Cartoon Darkness; a record where rage co-exists with joy, punk next to empowerment, silliness lives with sincerity and evolution is managed within the band’s recognisable and infectious energy.
Amyl and the Sniffers have long been one of the best bands around. In the worlds of rock and punk, the Aussie pub rockers step onto the genre’s stage with exactly the kind of thrilling energy it’s built on and vitally needs. Their shows are the kind of shows that could reignite even the most apathetic music fan’s love for live music, their songs electrifying enough to zap away even the most intricate of cobwebs as they pick you up and swoop you away with their power.
That’s captured on the record as tracks like ‘Jerkin’’, ‘Tiny Bikini’ and ‘Doing In Me Head’ are designed to get blood pumping and crowds moving. But there was never a doubt that the group could deliver that, with their previous albums more than evidencing it. What makes Cartoon Darkness something really special is the directions they expand in beyond that, beyond just being a great band with great energy.
On the record’s singles, the group showed a sincerity that feels important right now. ‘Chewing Gum’ looks around at the mess of the world and implores people to find joy in the cracks in the chaos. ‘Big Dreams’ is an anthem for artists in a world that lets them down as the band becomes a guiding light for others just as much as themselves. Even on ‘U Should Not Be Doing That’, Taylor packs the perfect punk rock punch with a strong message of freedom and empowerment in the gobby attitude of the track.
For people who have been paying attention to the sentiment under the sound, Taylor’s role as a vital voice is no surprise and nothing new. On Comfort To Me, the track ‘Knifey’ saw her tackle violence against women and rape culture with a bite that managed to be both empowering and devastating. Taylor has a knack for doing just that: for tackling this huge topic of discrimination and injustice with just as much fun as there is seriousness and severity. On the album’s closer, ‘Me and the Girls’, that’s shown best as more throwaway sentiments about her and her hot girl friends sit side by side with very real and important commentary about women’s rights, freedoms and treatment.
But even if you ignored all the messages in the lyrics, Cartoon Darkness would still be an incredible album. The band are feeling their way around so many different textures and references, from classic punk power to more refined rock and roll riffs and all the various subgenres and sounds in between. It’s proof that they’re a band still capable and keen on evolving but that they’ll always do it their way, beaming out this kaleidoscope of styles and sounds in their own colours and with their own infectious energy.
For fans of: Girls only mosh pits, and laughing in the face of a bad joke.
A concluding comment from the community of hot music girls shaking their shit: “Thank you, Amy Taylor”.
Cartoon Darkness track by track
Release date: 25th October 2024 | Producer: Nick Launay | Label: Rough Trade
‘Jerkin’’: Not a second of airtime is wasted on Cartoon Darkness as the first words Amy Taylor sings are “You’re a dumb cunt, you’re an arsehole.” But under the raging profantic and powerful punk instrumental, Amyl and the Sniffers maintain the pure heart that has always fueled them as really, this song, complete with words like “dickhole” and “jerkin on your squirter”, is a song of empowerment. [4/5]
‘Chewing Gum’: A track about looking at the shit and boredom and pain of living and finding the light in the cracks and finding joy in the chaos seeping through. Amyl and the Sniffers are no strangers to making anthems, but it’s more refined here. They’re no longer relying on easy punk chant-along tracks. Instead, this is crafted and more considered with a gorgeous rock and roll instrumental where their talent shines through in the electrifying guitar solos. [4.5/5]
‘Tiny Bikini’: Amy Taylor’s anthem for the legion of scantily clad ladies who she loves and honours each time she steps on stage. For those paying attention, Taylor has always been a powerful feminist voice rallying against rape culture and its tired suggestion that what women wear is of any importance. ‘Tiny Bikini’ holds a big message in a short, sharp, silly track. [4/5]
‘Big Dreams’: Now, this is something special. The band jump aboard their motorcycles and hit the road, creating a cinematic soundtrack capturing the energy of rebels flying off into the big open world, intent on making it their own. Dedicated to artists everywhere rallying against a world that underestimates and underappreciates them, it’s a moving and powerful one. [4.5/5]
‘It’s Mine’: But if you thought the band had lost their gritty, raging punk edge, you’d be wrong. On this record, they’re proving they can do it all, and from the softer side of ‘Big Dreams’, here is the polar opposite, handled with the same masterful abilities. [3.5/5]
‘Motorbike Song’: This track feels closest to the songs that populated Comfort To Me, with the band creating a raging instrumental that spirals around Taylor’s voice. But in moments when the guitar roars to life, there remains a more rock and roll flair that cuts through the punk for something special. [4/5]
‘Doing In Me Head’: As discussed with Far Out, Amy Taylor has such an amazing relationship with anger where the typical pessimism of punk is perfectly balanced with pure joy and goodness. Here, the more negative emotions found an output that was still just as fun as the rest. [3.5/5]
‘Pigs’: If there was ever a doubt that Taylor is one of the most exciting band leaders around and one of the most exciting voices in rock, hit play on this where she once and for all proves her position as one of the best around, while the band prove their position as one of the tightest and talented troupes on the scene. [4/5]
‘Bailing On Me’: The second the song starts, with more of an indie-rock flair or a strain of The Modern Lovers either, it’s something different. Taylor quietens down for a second, finding a new way to present negative feelings without the need for as much volume to still be impactful. [4/5]
‘U Should Not Be Doing That’: This is a perfect song. Not only is it catchy, expertly crafted and packed full of whatever magic power exists in tracks that just make you want to get up and move. But it’s a perfect example of Amyl and the Sniffers’ ability to balance rage and joy, silliness with sincerity and punk power with empowerment. Flawless. No notes. It’s been on repeat for months. [5/5]
‘Do It Do It’: Incredible tracklist curation to have ‘Do It Do It’ following ‘U Should Not Be Doing That’ as the band shrug off any restraint and encourages following your longings and lusts with your whole heart and being. But beyond the meaning, the drums here are incredible. [4.5/5]
‘Going Somewhere’: Beyond Taylor, drummer Bryce Wilson, guitarist Declan Martens, and bassist Gus Romer prove track after track that they’re a musical unit to wow at. They’re finding so many unique and thrilling sounds and textures across this record, melding all kinds of influences into their recognisable energy. [4.5/5]
‘Me and the Girls’: An anthem for women in music everywhere as Taylor makes it clear that she is a girl’s girl through and through, flying the flag for women’s pleasure, women’s power, women’s dreams and women’s rights. [5/5]
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