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Chewie

Inarticulate

Written by: MAK on 09/01/2024 19:31:01

Irish punks Chewie, previously known as Chewing On Tinfoil have released their new music in seven years and a first full-length album in a decade with “Inarticulate”. Over the years Chewie has evolved their sound, from something like gritty ska-punk with “Get Rich or Try Dyin’” in 2009 to the more anthemic folk elements on “Marrowbone Lane”. Inarticulate pushes Chewie further along the line to deliver a fast-paced brand of punk with a tasteful blend of pop tendencies.

Known for its uplifting and joyous elements, “Inarticulate” reveals a more developed side to the Irish outfit while not drifting off too much from where they last left off. Opener “Amateur Artist, kicks things off in a melodic manner, Stu Daly’s distinctive vocals layered on top soft intro with a plodding drum beat that pricks your ears before crunch hooks to the same steady tempo chime in. The intensity gradually crescendoes throughout the three-minute song, while never getting heavy, the poppy delivery and a catchy-as-hell chorus gradually get delivered with more urgency and panache as the song progresses. “Suit Yourself’ follows up with a more restrained yet danceable side to Chewie than we expect, but the poppy elements continue to thrive, diving between soft croons to a big anthemic bridge.

“Solace” is the big hit of this album, a charismatic melodic punk anthem featuring Hana Lamari from fellow Irish outfit Girlfriend. Daly and Lamari bounce off each other in verses beautifully and come together strongly with an infectious singalong chorus in which the duo sing together to make the hairs on your neck stand on end. It’s one of the catchiest songs released in 2023. The next few tracks follow a distinctive Chewie pattern, in which a lot of the album doesn’t differ too much from where Marrowbone Lane left off. Daly’s mellow, and somewhat dour vocals are hard to miss, and the Chewie sound that is melodic punk, but slightly gruff-punk-tinged and rough around the edges is pretty characteristic for them. Each track starts moody and melodic, building to emphatically erupting choruses that brighten the mood. These are all singalongs in their own right. “Careerist” does shift that tone however, being one of the punchier songs on the album, upping the tempo, and energy, delivering a more uplifting tone with, its punkier as a whole while remaining chirpy

The flow of the album doesn’t particularly shift or vary too much from the core sound, and in that way, some of the album does start to blur together apart from the few stand-out tracks mentioned. With modern attention spans that could be detrimental, but the charisma and delivery in the peak of each song does enough to bury themselves into you. It’s a nice, soulful album as a whole with a few pure hits that will remain punk favourites for years to come.

Download: Solace, Careerist, Amateur Artist
For the fans of: JB Conspiracy, Goodbye Blue Monday, Ducking Punches
Listen: Facebook

Release date 28.05.2023
Self Released