Almost two years after the debut album Killjoy, Isle of Wight alt-rockers Coach Party are back with album number two in Caramel. From the first listen there appears to be a level of maturity about the new record… gone is the angst from tracks like What’s The Point In Life and All I Wanna Do Is Hate. As good as those songs were on Killjoy, there is certainly a more level-headedness within Caramel, which was produced by the band’s own drummer Guy Page.
In between albums, Coach Party have been busy touring with the likes of Queens Of The Stone Age and fellow Isle of Wight band Wet Leg, as well as playing some of the bigger festivals including Glastonbury.
Opener Do It For Love was released as a single in August and stands out as one of the best on the album. The track is more punk-driven and hits hard with the chorus “Do it for love, give it for nothing,” which will be easily remembered by audiences during the band’s upcoming tour. “Where the fuck are my girls?” asks Jess Eastwood during next track Girls!. The mosh pits are just begging to open up for this one, the raw energy emanating from this song is special. Georgina continues with the same energy and Control is yet another highlight, with the punk pulling power delivering a smash blow to the head, just what we needed as the rain pelts down outside our window.
There is something really powerful around the vocals from Eastwood and guitarist Steph Norris on I Really Like You. They seem to be the perfect vocal partnership to keep that unique, edgy Coach Party soundscape, which is building up our excitement for the tour next year. Disco Dream is the only collaboration on the record, as the band team up with Black Honey. The track explores embracing loneliness and sees Eastwood sharing vocal duties with Izzy Bee Phillips.
“Wake up, do Yourself A Favour” sings Eastwood in the chorus of Do Yourself A Favour, another standout track from Caramel. The record draws to a close with Still Hurts, bringing a slowed down, grungy vibe to this end of record moment.
The fanbase of Coach Party will surely grow after this second album release, and we look forward to seeing them perform during their UK tour next February.
9/10
Standout Tracks: Do It For Love, Girls!, Do Yourself A Favour
For Fans Of: HotWax, Wet Leg, The Pill
Written by: Alan Brown
