Dublin-based art-rockers Silverbacks return with their sophomore record Archive Material, the follow-up to 2020's Fad. In it, they attempt to compound the absurd and confusing nature of our post-pandemic world into a record that reaches blistering punk heights and melancholic, introspective lows.

Opening up the album is the titular ‘Archive Material’, which expertly prepares the listener for the cacophony that awaits them. Leading in with pounding drums and surf-tinged guitars that sound like California Uber Alles updated for the modern day, the vocals have an air of menace to them, bellowing about the monotony of the modern, workaday world. Lyrics such as, “I got friends in a necktie, while digging in the archive. Even death won’t take you back” highlight the sense of frustration that permeates the majority of the record.

This feeling of lashing out is continued on tracks such as ‘A Job Worth Something’, ‘Rolodex City’ and, ‘Recycle Culture', the latter being most forthright with its sense of frustration. As the track kicks into gear, the noise of the guitars swell and build, just begging to burst out of the speakers and grab you by the collar. The track builds to a cathartic scream, with Silverbacks lashing out at the faux-saviour culture. It is the most direct and to the point political message on the record and a much-needed release.

Archive Material isn’t just infuriated, punk tunes: it’s an album that remembers to bare its soul from time to time, to cut the feedback and get down to basics whilst still maintaining a snarling edge. This can be seen on ‘They Were Never Our People’, which slows the tempo down, and minimalises the melodic structure. With a simple guitar riff and drum beat backing the vocals within the verses, it holds an almost spoken word quality with an intimacy that is both captivating and unnerving. It grabs the listener and refuses to let go for the duration of the track, with it perhaps being the most captivating track on the whole album.

With their second studio offering, Silverbacks have matured and grown, but certainly have not rested on their laurels. Faster, harder and more in-your-face than their debut, Archive Material is a much more well-rounded offering. For your daily dose of raw, punk aggression with an art school edge, look no further than Silverbacks.

Archive Material arrives 21 January via Full Time Hobby.