The third album from West Lothian’s finest is an electro-pop joy driven by the need to go back to the beginning and go it alone. Having left Parlophone Records to set up Happy Artists Records, their own label, The Snuts found themselves writing back in their native Scotland for the first time since they were kids. The freedom this has brought the band finds them sounding refreshed and revitalised.
After what lead singer/songwriter Jack Cochrane described as a number of “shouting matches” with their former label, the band decided to avoid the glare of social media and how a major insists on running things and keep everything strictly about the music.
Opening this new record, this new beginning is the first song The Snuts 2.0 wrote, “Gloria”, which arrives on a breeze of energetic disco pop with hooks plenty. It fires off a real intent from the start, and whilst those who know the band’s work will recognise them instantly, it also brings a delightful freshness and clarity to what the band is looking to achieve. The Snuts were craving to write and record music; you can hear the freedom within the notes and lyrics.
“Millionaires” is a pure slice of indie/pop creativity. It harks back to the synths of the 80’s whilst remaining completely present. There’s the opportunity to sing along, clap, and move your feet; there’s enough guitar to keep the indie boppers happy. Again, there’s a feeling of freedom, of excitement laced through the song. Equally bouncy is the aptly named “Yoyo”, blasting more joy and energy through the speakers.
“NPC” rumbles and rolls over a drum and bass beat that evokes thoughts and sounds of early Kasabian, a full three-minute explosion of noise and distortion with a chorus that begs to be sung along, too. Not only is it one of the highlights of the record, but it’ll also be a full-on dancehall and party anthem when performed live.
The production on Millennials is extremely tight yet feels incredibly loose and relaxed. Produced by Cochrane and the band’s live engineer/producer Scott Anderson, it shows The Snuts are in their comfort zone working with someone they know and trust rather than having someone hand-picked by their label bosses. It’s the first time they have had this control, and you can hear that they are revelling in it. Working with a friend looking out for what is best for the band only absolutely works throughout the record, and I can only applaud the band for taking such a leap of bravery and faith.
“Dreams” continues along a pop/dance road with beats surrounding Cochrane’s vocals; the pace of this record is truly upbeat; it doesn’t let you off the hook for a moment. It is driven and delightful. “Deep Diving” tackles the intrusive thoughts that everyone has in their life and the frustrations it can cause, feeling uncertain about how your life should turn out and where you’re meant to be. ‘Deep diving/drowning in my feels tonight’ is the most open, honest, raw song we’ve ever heard from The Snuts. And it just so happens to be their best.
Taking that leap of faith and going on their path, their trajectory has found The Snuts breathing new life into their music. Whilst they remain the same people, the music has changed for the better; launching their own label is a brave, bold move that deserves a huge amount of praise. In a world where TikTok and going ‘viral’ appear more important than having solid, quality music, The Snuts are here to change all that. They are old school but positively current, and Millennials is just the start.
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