A revitalized second album that confronts personal struggles...
‘All That Is Over’ – the second album from SPRINTS – challenges expectations with its dynamic and foreboding punk sound. Following the solid foundation established with their debut album ‘Letter To Self’, which received five-star reviews and a nod from the Irish Choice Music Prize, SPRINTS continues to embody intelligent and driven punk music.
The album begins with ‘Abandon’, a slow and foreboding track that quickly establishes that this second release goes beyond a straightforward punk record. The repetitive lyrics “I grow unrecognisable” convey a sense of depth and exhaustion. The music maintains a frayed and distorted dynamic in ‘To The Bone’, which preserves the ominous tone but erupts into a fierce and explosive chorus before reverting back to a somber verse.
Their identity as a punk band is further affirmed with ‘Descartes’, their first single, a frantic and driven piece inspired by a line from Rachel Cusk's novel Outliner – “Vanity is the curse of our culture,” marking a shift from Descartes’ famous phrase “I think therefore I am.” Frontwoman Karla Chubb explains, “I speak, so therefore I understand. Much of the negativity visible in the world stems from vanity and the belief that your identity or beliefs hold more value than those of others.”
The high-energy punk vibe continues with ‘Need’ and ‘Beg’, two tracks that oscillate between desire and anger, displaying the same unpredictability in tone throughout the album. The absence of a typical sophomore slump can be attributed to the band’s relentless pace following their debut's success, coupled with personal challenges. “There was just so much happening and so much to process,” Chubb elaborates. “I was navigating a major breakup after eight years, Colm had left the band, we had truly evolved as professional musicians, and I was embarking on a new relationship. Yet, looking outside, the world seemed darker than ever. I was writing daily because there was so much to address.” Nonetheless, SPRINTS sound remarkably cohesive and powerful throughout.
‘Something’s Gonna Happen’ and ‘Pieces’ perpetuate the album's angst, which is then momentarily relieved by ‘Better’, a slower and more uplifting alt-rock number featuring strong shared vocals from Chubb and bassist Sam McCann. ‘Better’ also carries a shoegaze quality, produced by Daniel Fox of Gilla Band; this ‘anti-love song’ stands out as a definite highlight of the album.
‘All That Is Over’ closes with ‘Desire’, a stylish, spacious track infused with dystopian, Radiohead-esque anxiety and longing. This self-described “cowboy gothic” finale leaves listeners with a sense of reassurance that SPRINTS has maintained their resilience despite the pressures following their first album's success.
7/10
Words: Amelie Grice
A heartfelt affirmation of recognizing one's own value.
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'All That Is Over' - the second album from SPRINTS - twists expectations with a vibrant and foreboding punk offering. Following a substantial