As mission statements go, “simple songs with aggression and passion” isn’t the worst strategy for a guitar band. While it’s true that much of Otherkin’s debut will sound familiar to those who worshipped at the altar of mid-to-late noughties indie-rock, the Dubliners’ strength lies in their classic approach to writing and performing: guitar riffs that range from jagged to jangly, a frontman with just the right amount of attitude and songs stuffed with melody.
The ubiquitous Ay Ay is a garage-pop gem akin to The Vines, while Come On, Hello and '89 leave vapour trails of Britpop in their wake. Elsewhere, Yeah, I Know's Krautrock chug and the snarling grunge of So So add depth and grittiness to the bouncy tracklist.
It may not change the world, but it’s a hell of a lot of fun.
