Sports Team: Boys to Men

      “I believe this album is undoubtedly the most enjoyable work we've produced…” — Alex Rice. The rousing indie-rock track 'Condensation' pays tribute to Sports Team's energetic roots, while songs like the country-influenced 'Head To Space' keep the band’s trademark lyrical absurdity front and center, allowing their current fans to adjust comfortably. “Satire and ridicule are incredibly potent tools,” reflects Rob, whose lyrics confront distorted signs of masculinity in ‘These Days’ and gun culture in ‘Bang Bang Bang’ – perhaps addressing more impactful social issues than one might expect from the creators of ‘Fishing’ and ‘M5’. “Using comedy is often the most effective way to convey a serious message,” he adds. “A track like ‘Adolescence’ is so serious that it could lose something… if you’re a 13-year-old fan of Andrew Tate and you’re required to watch that during assembly, it’s not likely to change your perspective.”

      “I believe the one thing people dislike more than far-right extremists is self-righteous leftists,” Alex states. “I’ve always had a disdain for ‘lecturers’… that kind of mindset leads to totalitarianism. Making a viewpoint seem utterly ridiculous or absurd is the most powerful political statement you can make, rather than simply telling people what to think.” While these discussions remain central to modern discourse, the beauty of the open-ended themes in 'Boys These Days' is their inherent timelessness. “The phrase ‘Boys these days look like girls’ – that's something they could have said in the '60s,” Rob suggests. “Remember when [David] Beckham wore a sarong?” Alex interjects.

      As they near their thirties and navigate a more unstable world, do Sports Team feel their priorities shifting? Is there a heightened sense of social responsibility to their younger followers that was less prominent in their carefree earlier days? “I feel no obligation beyond not talking down to people and communicating with our fans in a genuine manner,” Alex states calmly.

      If anything, Sports Team remains focused on the same goals as ever – delivering a chaotic, energetic live performance to audiences of indie enthusiasts, many of whom they once identified with, while embracing an image marked by honesty and humor. “Numerous bands remain trapped in that ‘90s image of band life,” Alex begins, reminiscing about their awkward days of wearing leather jackets around the time of 'Gulp!'. “Even Fontaines DC are imitating Oasis. New artists emerging on TikTok, like Lola Young and Gigi Perez, are authentic and straightforward. I’ve always related to that more.”

      “I believe our fans still view us as an honest band, open about our experiences. The lyrical themes are still present. The complaining old suburban individual remarking that 'Men aren’t what they used to be’ or ‘…(Subaru)’ speaks to gaining a sense of realism as you age… the album explores masculinity in a rather indirect way. I think it encompasses a broad range.”

      While 'Boys These Days' may signify a shift in the BBC Radio playlists, the essence of Sports Team has perhaps never been clearer. As they approach indie “elder statesmen” status – their own phrasing – one can now detect the ambition that has consistently underpinned Britain’s most lighthearted guitar band. “We’ve always been a band aiming to elevate to the next level,” Alex grins. “One that fills arenas and stadiums.” 'Boys These Days' is set to release on May 23 via Distiller.