ALBUM REVIEW: Sunny Blunts – Fast Blood
We’re living in an excellent period of time for high quality punk music at the moment. The releases don’t seem to be showing any sign of slowing down, particularly amongst the more DIY punk scene. With acts like SNAYX, LAMBRINI GIRLS and PET NEEDS all releasing great new music this year, it’s now FAST BLOOD’s turn as they finally release their long awaited debut album Sunny Blunts unto the world.
The resulting album is as great as it is visceral and will easily go down as one of this year’s best records. It’s not a long album either, clocking in at only nine songs so you don’t really have an excuse not to listen to it. You’ll be doing yourself a massive favour by letting FAST BLOOD into your life. The album itself launches into the fray with lead single Sexual Healing, a song which sets the tone for what is to come throughout the rest of the record. Starting off at what feels like 100mph, we’re launched into the world of Sunny Blunts with a wonderful display of pure punk rock. It hits hard, and the swirling instrumental cacophony that follows is backed up wonderfully by frontwoman Abigail Barlow’s just as impressive vocals which are given a great bit of character through her Geordie twang. There’s no slowing down either. Salvation ups the ante but this time opts for a more pop-punky sound but is still played with the same level of ferocity as its predecessor. It has a grubby and rough around the edges feel about it that remains throughout the record which makes you appreciate the effort that’s gone into the conception of Sunny Blunts.
One of the best aspects of this record is the potential of seeing it live. The one-two punch of Gone For Good and Pulling Teeth is going to blow the roof off especially; the infectious guitar hooks and enormous choruses are ready made for intimate venues, and you can almost smell the sweat of future crowds whilst listening to them. The pair also provide some of the best moments that Sunny Blunts has to offer, as does the following track Small Town, which opens up on a quiet section of atmospheric noise that pulls you into a false sense of security that it’s going to be a quiet one. But this is FAST BLOOD so of course they explode back into their furious style of playing with a song we can all relate to as it bemoans the experience of living in small dead end towns, the shoddy imagery the song conjures is saved by the incredible guitar riffs that back up the track.
As you make your way through the remainder of Sunny Blunts, FAST BLOOD give you more of the same, but where on other albums that would render what you’re listening to quite dull, the band keep the listener hooked with their honest and open lyrics that the most people will be able to relate to. Rum And Coke once again goes back to the pop-punk side of things that wouldn’t feel amiss sound wise on an early record from the likes of SUM 41 or RISE AGAINST.
Eyes Wide Shut serves as the penultimate track. It’s a brooding piece that starts off slow, once again giving you the false sense that some respite is coming as it slowly builds throughout before ending on an enormous crescendo with the ferocity returning to help round out proceedings. Coming right at the very end, the closing title track does however offer a much needed piece of respite. Throughout the record, Barlow’s vocals can sometimes get lost in the midst of all of chaotic punk sound, but here we do finally get the chance to hear her flex her excellent and earnest vocal skills. The world weary aspect of her voice perfectly sums up this record and how we all feel about getting to the end of it. It’s been quite a journey, but you come out on the other side a better person for giving FAST BLOOD a chance.
Sunny Blunts is the perfect album for anyone having quite the tumultuous year. It’s a very cathartic piece of punk music that sometimes borders the hardcore style of things and keeps you firmly rooted in reality. It could have easily benefited from having one or two slower songs added to it throughout just to give you a rest from the sonic onslaught it brings, but that’s life at times. Make sure to play this album as loud as possible, you won’t regret it one bit.
Rating: 9/10
Sunny Blunts is set for release on May 3rd via Scene Report Records.
Like FAST BLOOD on Facebook.