Press Club Album Cover
Out January 25th via Hassle Records

Rating: 7.5/10

By Kieran Webber

There has been a lot of buzz generated around Press Club, specifically because the fiery vocals of lead singer Natalie Foster. The band have conquered the Australian underground punk scene and are now looking towards Europe for an antipodean takeover. I have no doubt that their takeover will be a reality after the release of their debut album ‘Late Teens’, a brash barrage of anthemic, emotionally driven punk rock.

The album opens with ‘Crash’ a percussion driven number that has Foster’s vocals bursting through, a theme which is seen throughout the entire album. The slow percussion builds until the energy cannot be contained any more, letting slip a bombardment of raucous vocals and buzz-saw guitars.

Following this is the foot stomping, fast paced ‘Headwreck’ a belting track that boasts the bands vitality, its energy is nonstop and drags the listener into a chasm of driven punk rock. It tells the story of a relationship, one of pain and suffering, we’ve all been there. However it is a rallying song that demands you respect yourself, a call to arms if you will.

Listen to ‘Headwreck’ here:

This raw passion is felt throughout, you can almost feel the angst, anger and upset in each song. It’s a dizzying experience but one that you can’t help be wrapped up in, it elevates the listener, brings them to a common ground and says “It’s okay, me too”. It’s within the brutally honest songwriting where this band finds its strength, tracks such as ‘Isolation’, ‘Suburbia’ and ‘Trading Punches’ are blistering examples of their unapologetic songwriting.

As a debut album this is sterling work, it carries the same weight as a truck doing 150 mph through a brick wall. It’s wonderfully infectious, neck breakingly riff heavy and daringly honest. It’s great to see a band put so much of themselves out there, showing real vulnerability. This is punk rock for those searching for a voice, those who feel lost, it draws the listener in and accepts them no matter what. This is just the beginning for this rising Australian band and as debuts go this is incredibly strong.