Burn the empire

"The album starts with a speech from British political firebrand Tony Benn who explains that "an educated, healthy and confident nation is harder to govern" before the snarling punk-infused title track emulates that spirit. "I won't take a backseat, no fucking way man," spits Cochrane as he fans the flames of protest. There's social media angst and wistful nostalgia on the unsubtly titled 'Zuckerpunch', and 'Cosmic Electronica' is a swaggering, psychedelic track that sees The Snuts head to a warehouse rave. 'Yesterday' proves to be a soaring acoustic track dripping in cinematic beauty; then there's 'Pigeons In New York', a rumbling guitar-led track that encourages unity through a feathery metaphor. All of it is brilliant. There's fury throughout the record (...), but there's also a lot of hope too. The Snuts might sing about political corruption, shady big businesses and moral bankruptcy, however it's always with the promise that change is possible".

Read review

"Last year, The Snuts released their debut album, W.L., and became the only British band to secure a number one record with their first offering since Blossoms in 2016 ... The new effort by the West Lothian group is genre-spanning and doesn't stay in the same place for more than one song. From the start, The Snuts have always experimented with different sonic landscapes and been open to trying new ideas. However, one constant aspect that knits Burn The Empire together is honest, compassionate storytelling ... The Snuts frontman Jack Cochrane has placed a mirror up to society and profoundly raised difficult questions about Britain in 2022. Thankfully, he stays firmly away from cliches with his nuanced method of songwriting and doesn't claim to have the answers ... It's a record designed to challenge and make for an uncomfortable listen, it's necessary for these complex times".

Read review

"Scottish indie band The Snuts have come a long way in a short space of time, going from early, humble beginnings to playing some of the main festival stages around the country, and a lot has been achieved at a rapid pace ... The follow-up to 'W.L.' is a superbly varied, highly consistent body of work with a song quality that is smoothly fitting ... Album opener title track 'Burn The Empire' is all guns blazing, a politically charged Arctic Monkeys-echoing scenario, an explosion of a song that's there to set the scene before the infectious, eclectic 'Zuckerpunch' defines the next step in the process, and 'The Rodeo' eases things with a nice hook to draw you in ... A distinct, modern record that deserves attention and praise, an honest and relevant piece of work that truly matters".

Read review