More about: TV Priest

TV Priest utilise their sound as a constructive outlet in airing pent up grievances on debut record Uppers as they question society, being caught up in the trends of social media - as well as taking aim at the government and their Brexit promises.

Chaotic hooks and poetic lyricism come hand-in-hand as the London outfit throw themselves into the industry two feet first with an album that will be sure to cause a stir and see them crowned as one of this year's best post-punk newcomers.

"This could be the first day of the rest of your life..." are the first words uttered on album opener 'The Big Curve' as we are guided "upwards and forwards" into an auditory journal by frontman Charlie Drinkwater, whose vocal delivery is filled with both angst and an element of theatrics which entices you to engage with the story he depicts. Similar in vein to Joy Division's Ian Curtis.

At the core of the record is the track 'Slideshow', which frantically trips on at a heart-racing pace as Charlie quarrels over the unhealthy relationships we as a society find ourselves in with the apps on our phones. "All I can do is talk... I've probably never had an original thought" is a line which seems to touch upon the continual regurgitation of mimicking opinions we see online as we use our free-time to scroll endlessly on a daily basis.

'This Island' sees the focus turned to the UK exiting the EU on a wave of uncertainty. "We're drifting out in 350 million modern ways" of course touches upon the figure promised to our overworked and understaffed National Health Service (NHS), a figure which was then deemed unrealistic only one day after the result of the decisive referendum ("OH FOR SHAME, FOR SHAME, FOR SHAME...")

Other highlights are the excellent 'Father and Sons' along with album closer 'Saintless', which winds the heart rate back down from the furore of guitar and drums that fell before it. The record is broken up by two interludes which, inbetween the barage of sounds, allow the listener to a brief breather, allowing us to digest a record that might well land on several end-of-year lists.

Uppers is out now via Sub Pop Records.

More about: TV Priest